Hexis / Primitive Man - Split 10"

Hexis and Primitive Man both have recent triumphs under their belt. Hexis finally released their first fullclength Abalam in January while Primitive Man were signed by Relapse Records and had their malicious debut record Scorn re-released, and unleashed on a new unsuspecting audience. Both bands share a certain sonic kinship, but broadly speaking, these are two quite different bands, each with their own unique flair, which is what makes this short split all the more compelling. Hexis are occupied with straddling a line between visceral hardcore and unforgiving black metal. Primitive Man are misanthropy defined with blood curdling sludge and doom. The common ground that these bands trample on is the same conviction and passion, and they each get this across with just one track each on this 10”. With their eight minute dirge, ‘Excrucio’, Hexis trod familiar ground. This feels like it didn’t quite make the cut for Abalam but has been given a new lease of life and reason on this split. It’s a slightly more broody number compared to their searing avalanches of BM-meets-hardcore that we’re used to and does more to craft unnerving atmosphere than anything else. Primitive Man really steal the show on this 10”, though. Their track ‘When Getting High Is Not Enough’ tells you straight away what the band’s attitude is all about but the track itself is anything but laidback with fierce unforgiving rasps of bitter sludge that picks up where Scorn left off. First things are eerily calm and trudging but anyone familiar with Primitive Man will know not to be fooled by such a display as ghostly guitars soon twist and contort into vile towers of sludge complemented by roaring drums. This is Primitive Man mastering their craft once again.