Came across Hexvessel's 2020 album Kindred on Svart Records - eight tracks of contemplative, slow-burning prog-folk built for deep listening. Long songs, recurring motifs, feels like a continuous journey rather than individual tracks.
Track titles reference literature and mythology: 'Demian' (Hermann Hesse), 'Phaedra' (Greek myth), alongside cosmic and elemental themes like 'Billion Year Old Being,' 'Fire of the Mind,' 'Maelstrom,' 'The Tundra.' The arrangements emphasize patience - songs develop gradually through layers, vocal harmonies, textural details. An acoustic version of 'Changeling' from their previous album closes it out, creating a reflective endpoint.
This is winter music in the literal sense - stark, contemplative, requiring attention and time. Production maintains clarity while allowing for meditative repetition. Best experienced full-album with headphones, preferably during late-night hours or winter days. Less accessible than When We Are Death, more committed to atmosphere and journey.
If you're into prog folk or winter atmospheres that prioritize mood over hooks, worth exploring. Available on Bandcamp.
