Dan Hillier
The eighth record from the Spanish post metal troupe, the origins of Hex come from the darkest days of the pandemic, where the band spent lockdown tunnelling down an existentialist rabbit hole concerning the nature of humanity. It was during this prolonged period of rumination and reflection where the band ultimately realised that the inhuman nature of hatred is what drives the human race. No other creature in the animal kingdom displays any of the tendencies associated with hatred, but for us, it’s what propels us as a species. It’s something that our western culture consistently perpetuates, something that spurs us unto consistent conflict and something that’s inherent to our flawed condition. Yet, at the same time, it’s something that also drives us to fight back against the xenophobia and warfare that’s a product of hatred in the first place. It’s a bold concept to explore, but it’s one that conceived Toundra’s most emotional and substantial record to date.
Hex is the musical documentation of their findings and it’s expressed with both vigour and authentic emotional punch. In particular, the first side of the record is where their research is articulated, with the 22 minute ‘El Odio’ being presented as the finely detailed musical soundtrack to the thoughts that led to the record’s birth. Elsewhere, the record probes themes of sanctuary and human emotion as a whole, with such tracks documenting these concepts tinkering with the integral components of the post rock and metal sound in a way that’s fresh and anew.
With Hex out now via InsideOutMusic, we got in touch with Esteban Girón (Guitars) to break down the record, track by track.
“We decided to do a song for the whole Side A of the record. A 22 minutes song exploring new frontiers. We got it, I think. It’s really inspired by band like The Who or classical music composers. After 15 years, in our eigth LP I think we needed a new challenge and this was the perfect one.”
“First song written for this album. I wrote this parts in my parents house in the middle of the nature in the north of Spain. Surrounded by animals. My favourite place on Earth and the place where I wrote such more Toundra songs. It’s a kind of sanctuary for me.”
“This one was done in a studio in the middle of the nature too in Asturias, North Spain. Macón (Guitars, Synths) wrote the first half and I wrote the second one. I think we wanted to be influenced by electronic music but using our guitars. Challenge accepted.”
“Macón and me wrote these parts during the lockdown. We sent to each other some home recordings and, after a few months we were able to see each other again in the rehearsing room. We all together finished to write this song in August 2020. It saved us.”
“Inspired in the Late Night Tales records by Frabrik London. It’s inspired in some good and well edulcorated nights with my friends. The goal was to write a perfect song to go home after a glorious night out partying.”