Raphael Alecto - Hessian Firm

On the purpose of modernism and the place of heavy metal

On his study on aesthetics titled Beauty, English philosopher Roger Scruton outlines the most noble mission for modern art to accomplish, if it does wish to attain greatness: "Moreover, there…

By Raphael Alecto October 5, 2020Analysis, Lifestyle

Analysis

The majestic beauty of Morbid Angel – “Desolate Ways”

In our previous analysis of "The Rack" by Asphyx, we noted that sometimes complexity paradoxically presents itself as elusive simplicity: the ascetic attempt at communicating as much as possible through…

By Raphael Alecto October 1, 2020Analysis

Review

KK Null – Terminal Beach (1996)

This early album by Japanese noise master KK Null can be described as a cross between Tangerine Dream and noise music, and possibly the most successful attempt yet at such…

By Raphael Alecto September 25, 2020Review

Analysis

Arrangement Analysis: Asphyx – “The Rack”

Asphyx’s debut album is on the whole an undisputed classic of death-doom and underground metal in general, but for this time we’ll focus on the title track that finishes the…

By Raphael Alecto September 16, 2020Analysis

Label News

Hessian Firm officially stocking Sammath albums

Hessian Firm is proud to announce it'll be selling some of the albums by legendary dutch band Sammath. One of the most revered of the (relatively) recent extreme metal bands,…

By Raphael Alecto September 10, 2020Label News

Review

Dolentia – Iniciação Eversiva

Hailing from Portugal, Dolentia play a particularly ritualistic form of black metal descending both musically and conceptually from the style pioneered by the Norwegian Black Metal scene with some modern…

By Raphael Alecto September 9, 2020Review

Lifestyle

Hessian Cinema – Part 2

We continue our exploration of cinema in search of worthy and exceptional works that will rouse the attention and appreciation of metalheads interested in other mediums where the spirit present…

By Raphael Alecto September 6, 2020Lifestyle

Analysis

Sacramentum “Blood Shall Be Spilled” Arrangement Analysis

Sacramentum’s seminal “Far Away from the Sun” has been widely recognized as a classic of epic and melodic black metal for the band’s ability to depict cold and vast landscapes…

By Raphael Alecto August 30, 2020Analysis

Analysis

Some Brief Thoughts on Burzum – Filosofem and the weltanschauung of heavy metal

The text above, the lyrics for the most iconic song from Filosofem, and perhaps Burzum’s whole career, has likewise become emblematic for black metal as a whole. I’ve always felt…

By Raphael Alecto August 6, 2020Analysis