Tuesday 10 September 2013

YIDHRa - Hexed - Album Review



YIDHRa is a Doom Metal Band from Los Angeles, USA

The members are:

Bass - Tom
Guitar/Vocals - Dave
Lead Vocals/Guitar/Theremin - Ted
Drums- Chris

YIDHRa are one of the hotly tipped Doom Metal Bands currently making their mark within the Doom Metal world. They released a critically acclaimed demo back in 2009, which had fans and critics singing their praises. Well 4 years later the band are finally back with their debut album – Hexed – which has been produced by legendary producer – Bill Metoyer (SLAYER, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, TROUBLE, ARMORED SAINT, DARK ANGEL, SACRED REICH, CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER, D.R.I.)  


Who had this say about YIDHRa:

“Not since TROUBLE have I worked with a band in this genre so talented. YIDHRA! I have no clue what the name means, but to me it means DOOM!”

Well what can I add to Hexed. If you are a fan of Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Sabbath and Yob then you are going to love this band like I did. I had not heard much about them but I was hooked from the very first listen of Witch Queen streaming on BandCamp. I asked the band for a promo copy and they duly obliged providing me with a copy.

Witch Queen opens this album with a truly frightening sense of purpose. YIDHRa blend Doom Metal, Occult Rock and Stoner Rock into something dangerous and wholly original. The band play on your sense of fear to provide an unsettling experience in the realm of Doom Metal. Lead Vocalist - Ted - feels like he is possessed by an evil spirit. Just listen to the blazing doom metal riffs the band will ultimately consume your soul with. Awesome.

Up next is – Oath Breaker – a slow-paced track that pays homage to the legendary Vitus but splices the action with sublime Occult/Stoner Rock carnage. YIDHRa have written excellent lyrics to scare the living heck out of you. They are very powerful indeed. A Doom Metal/Occult Rock track with real menace and purpose.

Hexed is epic in tone and nature. It has to be as it is on for a spellbinding 66 mins. More than enough time for YIDHRa to make you a fan of their dark majestic world. It did with me on the very first listen of this brilliant album. The band have an arsenal of stunning tracks to possess you with. And once they have your soul, you will find it very hard to escape indeed. As their riffs will have an almighty hold on you. There is no escaping YIDHRa’s dark world.

Tracks such as Flood Is The Harvest, Raven’s Flight only prove YIDHRa are a band you cannot ignore. The riffs and dark lyrics are a winning combination from a band on top of their game. Raven’s Flight is a brilliant 10:30 minute epic that will have you head-banging in no time at all. Vocalist – Ted - feels like a master storyteller hypnotising the audience with dark and eerie tales of despair.

To YIDHRa’s credit they have added a brilliant Doom/Stoner Metal riff near the end before all heck breaks loose with YIDHRa launching an all out attack on the senses.

YIDHRa add a down-tempo vibe to their music, which only adds to the creepy tension running through out the album. I do not want to spoil this album any more as you seriously need to hear this for yourself. But let me tell you you are in for a treat here folks. YIDHRa still have plenty of tricks and riffs up their sleeves to impress you with.

They have written a stunning collection of epic Doom Metal tracks you will want to listen to over and over again. I can honestly say I cannot pick out a favourite track. They are all equally great as each other. The album is brilliantly produced.

Tracks such as Ancient Ones, Conquest For Nova and Dagon will only prove that YIDHRa have a brilliant career ahead of them. Hexed is going to launch these guys as one of the leading lights of Doom Metal in the years to come.

Hexed is the must have Doom Metal album of 2013. Brilliant. Enough said.

Thanks to the band for sending me a promo copy to review. Hexed will be available to buy from BandCamp on 13th September 2013.

Check The Band From Links Below

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BandCamp