Sutekh Hexen – Primeval

Artist: Sutekh Hexen
Title: Primeval
Label: Cyclic Law
Release date: January 24th, 2025
Country: USA
Format reviewed: High-quality digital recording

Primeval” is the latest release from the U.S.-based experimental black metal band Sutekh Hexen. With this album, the band invites listeners into an eerie and mysterious world, evoking profound emotions such as fear, suffering, and death. The cover art—a black-and-white photograph of a fireplace with firewood, contrast of light and darkness—sets the ritualistic tone of the album. The themes hinted at in the artwork are deeply intertwined with the album’s concept such as protection, safety and harmony, unfolding throughout its sonic journey.

From the first moments, the album establishes a haunting presence, taking the listener in whispers that immediately evoke a mystical and ritualistic journey. Layers of sound intertwine, forming an intricate texture, while the viola lines add an emotional depth that enhances the album’s evocative nature. “Malediction” serves as a mesmerizing introduction, weaving soundscapes reminiscent of an atmospheric black metal composition. Its swirling ambiance and textures create an eerie yet captivating aura. “Severed and Sealed” intensifies the unsettling atmosphere, with violin passages that resemble distant, tormented screams, reinforcing an overwhelming sense of dread. A disembodied voice emerges—a warning, perhaps, of an impending force—only for all sounds to suddenly fade into silence as if nothing had ever happened. The tone shifts with “River of Shadows”, echoing the ethereal melodies and moods introduced in the opening track. The river becomes a metaphor for the cyclical nature of existence, while the shadows symbolize the subconscious fears and desires that shape our lives. Together, these elements represent the emotional and psychological struggles we navigate throughout our lifetimes. “Moss Skull” follows an unsettling piece that begins with a foreboding atmosphere. Unlike other tracks, it relies on a stark simplicity rather than a complexity of sound layers, yet it still cuts deeply. The imagery of a skull covered in moss encapsulates the themes of death, decay, and the relentless passage of time. Whispers drift through the soundscape, further intensifying the sense of unease as if the voices of the past are speaking through the music.

Pyre” represents the finality of death and the transformation of the physical body through fire. Flames were traditionally believed to purify the soul, easing its transition to the afterlife. The soundscape here conveys a ceremonial intensity, evoking the act of burning, with harrowing screams that seem to reflect the suffering of a soul consumed by fire. The presence of glossolalia heightens the ritualistic atmosphere, reinforcing the sense of participation in an ancient rite. “Oraedjinn” features the dominant presence of a constant and stretched pipe organ sound in its first half, followed by the intrusion of a voice. Eventually, an unknown, ear-splitting sound swallows the voice, engulfing the entire soundscape. The reverberations make it feel as if the sound originates from an otherworldly creature. “Cavern Rite” begins with whispers, as if drawing the listener into a ritual deep within a cave. With eyes closed, the voices and sounds resonate through the cavernous space then fading away into silence. The closure is on “The Clarion Call”, perhaps the most distressing track, where screams become deeper and more painful, almost as if pleading for something to happen. The music is simultaneously melodic and emotional, yet it instills a sense of desperation—a need to escape from an impending suffering so intense that even the ability to scream feels futile.

Throughout “Primeval”, Sutekh Hexen masterfully weaves an auditory experience that is both mesmerizing and harrowing. The album’s interplay of harsh noise, ethereal ambiance, and evocative instrumentation creates a captivating journey into themes of darkness, ritual, and transcendence. “Primeval” was my first introduction to Sutekh Hexen, and I was astonished by how its intricate layers of sound remained in perfect harmony—both within individual tracks and across the album as a whole. For fans of black metal and dark ambient alike, this release offers a profoundly unforgettable listening experience. 9/10 by Pegah

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