Hexecutioner - Ascension Rock

Hexecutioner is a doom/stoner/sludge metal band from Seattle that formed in 2020. Their latest release, “Ascension Rock,” is their third full-length album; they have also released a demo.

I gave a lot of deserved praise to their previous full-length album, "Tornit" last year.  So, what's changed with their latest musical bomb of doom?  Does "Ascension Rock," find the band turning into atmospheric electronica polka?  It's going to be a hell no, dawg.  Once again, and thankfully so, Hexecutioner have brought the hammer of doom down upon us all.  Except this time, it's more than one hammer.  It's a lot of hammers.  Ok, so all the hammers. 

There are some changes though.  Vocalist/Guitarist Erin Gravina played bass on the prior releases but this time Daniel McManus handles the low-end axe---and he brings a devastating dimension to the album.  Alongside drummer, Bryce Hebner, these three musicians have created an album that is absolutely drenched in doom, sludge, fuzz, back by an attitude and confidence of a band that knows exactly what it wants to do---which is apparently caving skulls in with pure sonic density. 

"Ascension Rock," is a tighter experience.  While I do miss having a long epic on this one, each of the six songs bring something else to the album's overall sound and the dynamics at play here are taken to a new level. For evidence, look no further than opening song, "Shapeshifter."  It begins with a rock based, hypnotic groove that is immediately ear-grabbing.  As the title might suggest, this one sheds its skin and turns on the doom with the hypnosis entering dangerous levels. Erin's ever impressive clean vocals shine through the notes, which are basically boulders crushing everything unlucky enough to be in their path.  The last minute of the song is when the band really smashes the distortion pedal down---pure fire and destruction.

"Usurper," attacks from an immediate position of power:  crushing riffs and a groove that just won't quit has the song firing on all cylinders in less than 30 seconds.  The drums are so good here, finding their own groove that pushes the band to roll out this machine of song that threatened to tear down my headphones.   The bass casts out wave after wave of thunderous motion and plays a large part in just how arcane and raw the song presents itself.  

"Manifested," adds in a more methodical approach with a build-up that will put a big ol smile on any doomers face.  The song goes embers to inferno with a bight roar as the 2-minute mark approaches--the bass builds up energy quickly then the riffs and drums release tenfold.   From here the song gets so intense that it is almost terrifying.   The bass enters this deep groove around the halfway mark, and the guitars follow before a clean interlude cuts in.  This leads to another build up that results in a faster tempo rage fest.  Erin's vocals are so good here too---I'm a sucker for clean female vocals over ridiculously monstrous music.  Few do it as potent as Erin does.

"Stars and Stones," sends the band to space.  The echo on Erin's voice is perfect here, adding a layer of mystery to the song even as its direct approach totally steamrolls my senses.  Some of the album's best riffs are in this song.   Bryce gives a brutal performance here---this guy really knows how to steer this doom ship.  If the drums don't get you, Danie's bass will smash you down to the atoms.  This song is a deep rabbit hole of seamlessly unending punishment. 

Never mind the fact that I'm dumb for thinking this but the brief serenity of the waves on "Sink or Swim" had me thinking the band was going to do something laid back.  I'm happy to be wrong and/or stupid about that but the gargantuan riffs will probably jar my brain back into place. The instruments crest in a big way and slam back down even bigger.  The vocals sound a bit ethereal and majestic against this backdrop of pure unadulterated doom. 

The final song, "Billionaires," opens with clean instrumentation as the drums being to boil the musical waters. This song is interesting in the way it combines a low-end heavy sound with the ultra-distortion of doom--it's like lava flowing over more lava.  The overall vibe of this song is dark, bleak, and scathing.  What's more metal than that?  I'll tell you what is:  the ending solo.  Amazing. 

Hexecutioner continue to impress with "Ascension Rock."  The album's ability to use forward motion to drive a hypnotic but weighty sound is truly impressive.  Fans of riff-based metal that still has plenty of atmosphere will find much to explore here and many reasons to return to the adventure.  Album can be pre-ordered here at their bandcamp. 

Rating:  Excellent