The Heavy Metal State of HeXeN

With a since of urgency Hexen is using metal mayhem to break out of Glendale California. HeXeN currently have a CD called State Of Insurgency. Find out what HeXeN is like and indulge yourself with an insight to one of to days most anticipated rock metal artist HeXeN.

Where did you get our band name from and what does it mean?
Our band name is taken from an old video game we really enjoyed. It sounded like an interesting name that could stick out and when we got around to making the logo for it, the awesome symmetric characters gave us even more reason to keep it. However, the interesting part is we are yet to write a song about black magic/black arts/spells and the like. Maybe we’ll make a “HeXeN” song one day.

State Of Insurgency. Does this song apply it’s self to any war or is there a particular war that it is talking about?
Yes, it’s about the war of the people against the world government. Don’t get me wrong, I do not advocate anarchy, but I do (and I speak on behalf of the band as well) denounce all the wrongdoings of the world powers. This country and its English and Israeli counterparts included. I myself and the rest of the country became overnight patriots the week following the September 11th attacks, obviously imposed from the shock we all felt as a nation, but since then people have woken up. I have woken up. Woken up to the dangerous and shocking truths. There is no limit the world powers will go to in making sure their interests are safe, secured, and cheap. I loved the T-Shirts I’d see of people changing the war on terror to being named Operation: Iraqi Liberation which as you know spells out O.I.L.

Gas Chamber. For what crime do you think this is called for to be used for punishment?
Personally? Or what the song conveys? Personally I believe this is a very barbaric form of capital punishment and should be abolished if it hasn’t been already. Within the context of the song, It’s about a 13-time serial rapist/murderer who is finally caught and the lyrics account the gory details as he is put into the Gas Chamber. Death should be given to those who have intentionally killed many, but being administered through the clean(er) process of lethal injection is more than enough. Shoving a guy into a hole and feeding him caustic fumes that causes him to slowly suffocate and spit out his own guts puts society down to his level, dotch’ya think?

Past Life. Do you think our spirits show us our Past Life’s somehow to bring us into what are real focus is here on earth? What do you believe was your Past Life is about and how has that effected you today?
Well this question presupposes that the song is actually about Past Lives in the reincarnation sense of the term. It is not. It is actually more about the troubles and pain we all went through in former years. For example, if a person had a real shitty adolescence, and a lot of that pain translated into who he/she was in their adult years, it still haunts them in the present day even though those terrible days were long ago and seem like they occurred in another (past) life. Sometimes, pain lasts unfortunately because the memories do.

No More Color. Dogs see in Black And White. Cats see in all colors. Who are you (your name) and what do you do in HEXEN? What Color is your favorite? What is this song about?
I am Andre Hartoonian, I play Bass, do vocals, and write music and the lyrics for HEXEN. My favorite color is red. This song and the last song we spoke about, Past Life, are kind of correlated. Remember when I talked about going through many troubles and having those past anguishes and heartaches seep into your present day? Well, enough of it surely can turn a world upside down. Or, transform a vivid, colorful life into a dark, black and white one. Yes, I do like many artists attempt to find poetic ways to vent out life’s struggles (laughs).

Desolate Horizons. What’s your favorite place in the world you like to go to and why? What is this song about?
Hmm, no place in particular… and I guess once the band one day hopefully starts touring internationally I will be able to experience the rest of the world and see which is my favorite place. This song is once again just a heartfelt instrumental written from deep and passionate emotions I was feeling at the time. Y’know… sorrow, nostalgia, hope, etc…

Why did you decide to cut your long metal hair and did you give it away to charity?
I decided to cut my hair because unfortunately not everyone’s “blessed” with a perfect head of thick hair. It had become extremely cumbersome, not to mention thinning. Trust me I wouldn’t have cut it in a million years if I had hair as thick and luscious as my guitarist’s hahaha! I did not give it away to charity, seems like an odd thing to do considering it’s a bodily waste. But yeah, in metal, either you got long hair, or a shaved head. I went the latter route, and MANNN is it a load off my back!!! But like I said, if I had good long hair I woulda kept it forever.

State Of Insurgency is your first music video. Have you gotten it any airplay for this video? Is their going to be made a second video for this record if so what song?
It has not gotten any airplay and no there will be no more videos for our debut release. It was just a project I did for myself and for the band, boy do you learn a lot making a music video for your own band and being in control of their entire process start to finish. Hopefully by the next record we will be signed to a bigger label and can have a lot of help with creating a decent music video.

If you were introducing your band to some to have them give you a listening to, describe your band in your own words that might get them to give you a fair chance?
HeXeN is comprised of four educated, music theory-saavy intellectuals (not common in thrash) who strive to create original music that is deep and sophisticated. This will be shown in greater detail and intensity with each growing record.

Are you working on a new album?
For years now. In fact, it’s gotten to the point where we have the next album almost 100% done (only thing left is to write lyrics 1 one song and perfect a few solos here and there) and have begun writing material for a future third album. That’s what happens when you are hard-working band that never stops but are on an indy label so you’re not on the road 24/7. You have a lot of time at home to write and perfect your music, which is the most important part of this whole game anyway.

What Medium sized record label are you looking for to sign you next to start moving up the chain in the music industry and what do you have that might make them want to sign you for your second CD or more?
Ideally it would be awesome to sign to Roadrunner. They always seemed to be an excellent atmosphere for musicians. What we have for them to sign us is what I expressed in the previous questions. You never get far being a cookie-cutter band, and that’s the last thing we are. We love metal, all forms of it. And surprisingly enough, the new material (while being foundationed in thrash metal) contains a lot of different forms of metal and other music mixed it. It will not be comprehended until it’s heard.

Are you planning a tour this summer or playing at any festivals?
We are going on a full 32-date nationwide tour alongside our friends Rattlehead, hitting up almost every major state. It will be in support of their 2nd album release and our debut STATE OF INSURGENCY which we urge all of you to buy! It’s available all over the internet, nearly every online music retailer, just google search Hexen State of Insurgency and order your copy today! And Mr. Wright, thank you very much for your time and opportunity to give our band some exposure in your awesome magazine. Horns up!

Hails and thanks to HeXeN for granting an insight to who and what this band and it’s first released CD is about. Old School Metal records might be their current record label. But I see this band shows a great chance in moving forward. They are bound to more either by themselves or from help of another record label. I am watching with anticipation. HeXeN play shows often and can be see on May 16th, 2010 at The Cobalt Café in Canoga Park CA. This show on May 16th 2010 is an all ages metal show $8.00 Per Ticket. Watch for them on tour as well soon.

(Interview by Jonathan D. Wright)

HeXeN on Myspace