Raphael Alecto - Hessian Firm

Septicflesh and Horrified: Two Underappreciated EPs

The extreme metal scene that flourished in the late '80s/early '90s in Greece attained distinction and a particular reputation in the underground for most bands' heightened incorporation of melody and…

By Raphael Alecto May 3, 2021Analysis, Review

Review

Skin Chamber – Wound (1991)

Skin Chamber was a short-lived side-project by members of Controlled Bleeding that managed to release two albums in as many years. Their debut’s appropriate title – perhaps a reference to…

By Raphael Alecto March 30, 2021Review

Review

Empyrium – Über den Sternen (2021)

German band Empyrium’s admirable path consistently shows them preserving an highly unique voice while adapting to varying contexts and an evolving inventory of skills. The band’s strengths as composers and…

By Raphael Alecto February 27, 2021Review

Podcast

Hessian Scrum #4: Cullen Toner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcmiCNMwIbY The Hessian Scrum podcast continues and for this entry our guest is Cullen Toner, mastermind of Dawnbreaker and former member of many other underground metal bands like Abazagorath.

By Raphael Alecto February 25, 2021Podcast

Podcast

Hessian Scrum #3: Into Oblivion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Rt2dJkS5s As you've probably noticed if you've been following Hessian Firm lately, the podcast format is one we've decided to make use of with particular dedication. For the third entry…

By Raphael Alecto February 11, 2021Podcast

Podcast

Hessian Scrum Pdcast, episode 2: Jan Kruitwagen from Sammath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91u5qgclbjY The Hessian Firm podcast continues, and for this entry we're joined by none other than Jan Kruitwagen from the legendary black metal band Sammath. Throughout their consistent career, the…

By Raphael Alecto February 6, 2021Podcast

Review

Some unorthodox recommendations for the year’s beginnings

As time marches on inexorably to hit another cyclical benchmark of our calendars, giving way to many forms of celebration and exalted frenzy, we at Hessian Firm will take the…

By Raphael Alecto January 11, 2021Review

Analysis

Some brief thoughts on Brutality and Monstrosity: twin gems from the Floridian underground

When a genre becomes as crowded as metal, the need for rigorous selection inevitably arises as a necessary mechanism to unearth the truly outstanding voices, and in that process certain…

By Raphael Alecto December 29, 2020Analysis

Analysis

Analysis: Graveland – “The Night of Fullmoon”

Graveland was the most high spirited of the many bands who took the pagan warfare theme as its core inspiration. While displaying bombastic pretensions from the beginning and by the…

By Raphael Alecto December 24, 2020Analysis

Label News Podcast

“Hessian Scrum” podcast, first entry: Goatcraft

Hessian Firm has just launched on its youtube channel the first episode of the podcast "Hessain Scrum", dedicated to the discussion of music and related topics with artists directly involved…

By Raphael Alecto December 21, 2020Label News, Podcast