Hell (Hell album)

Hell
A drawing of a demonic scene rendered in red, inspired by the works of Gustave Doré
Studio album by Hell
Released August 11, 2017
Recorded 2014–2017
Studio The Burial Grounds
Genre
Length 49:52
Label
  • LowerYourHead
  • Sentient Ruin Laboratories (SRUIN053)
Producer M.S.W.
Hell chronology
Hell III
(2012)Hell III2012		 Hell
(2017)

Hell is the fourth studio album by Salem-based doom metal project Hell. It was released on August 11, 2017 as a limited cassette through the label Sentient Ruin Laboratories[1] and as a digital download through Hell's own label, LowerYourHead.[2] Hell received critical acclaim from the few publications that covered it. On April 22, 2018, Hell performed Hell in its entirety at Roadburn Festival.[3]

The songs "SubOdin" and "Inscriptus" first appeared on Hell's 2015 self-titled EP.[4]

Background and composition

After Hell's trilogy of self-titled albums concluded in 2012 with Hell III, frontman M.S.W. considered discontinuing the project. About the change of heart, he said:

"I was going to change the name of the project, thinking that a better name would suit the new sound more, but now I’m thinking I’ll keep the name and see how that goes."[4]

Hell is a doom metal album and, as such, is driven by slow, downtuned guitar riffs. Reviewer Shakeel Cox-Henry noted that the vocal styles on the album are "very much alien" to traditional doom metal, describing them as abrasive, tortured, and atonal.[5] Operatic singing is incorporated on the introductory track, "Seelenos", by Karli Mcnutt. In addition to the unusual vocals, Cox-Henry wrote that the songs are structured unconventionally, lacking predictable progression and varying often in tempo.[5]

Another uncommon feature of Hell is its use of samples. The album's opening, "Seelenos", contains quotes from the works of Emily Dickinson.[2] The next track, "Helmzmen", features the Mayday call of a doomed ship that sank in the Gulf of Alaska.[6][7] The song "Wandering Soul" contains a sample that the US military used in a psychological weapon project against the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War.[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Metal InjectionVery favorable[6]
Midlands Metalheads[5]

Hell received highly positive reviews. Writing for Metal Injection, Cody Davis said, "[Hell's] entirety results in what can only be described as one of the most enthralling albums to come out in 2017 and a strong album of the year candidate."[6] Shakeel Cox-Henry of Midlands Metalheads wrote, "this album is strong, consistent, and most importantly, uses its resources to create an atmosphere of dereliction and suffering that only Hell could create."[5] Invisible Oranges said, "For an album so pummeling, there is a hint of sincerity hidden beneath its dense brawn."[8] Hell appeared as number 14 on Stereogum's 2017 year-end best metal albums list; Ian Chainey of that same publication called the album's execution "top-notch" and repeatedly praised its riffs.[9]

Accolade

Year Publication Country Accolade Rank
2017StereogumUnited States "The Best Metal Albums of 2017"14[9]

Track listing

All songs written by M.S.W..

CD and vinyl version
No.TitleLength
1."Seelenos"4:20
2."Helmzmen"9:35
3."SubOdin"7:30
4."Machitikos"5:38
5."Wandering Soul"5:09
6."Inscriptus"5:01
7."Victus"12:36
Total length:49:52

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ Hell (cassette liner notes). Hell. Sentient Ruin Laboratories. 2017. SRUIN053. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Kelly, Kim. "HELL's Apocalyptic Doom Will Outlive Us All". Vice. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  3. ↑ Handelman, Ben. "Hell to perform their S/T album in full at Roadburn 2018". Roadburn Festival. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  4. 1 2 A., Ben (April 7, 2016). "Falling from Your Heavens: A Conversation with M.S.W. of Hell". Black Metal & Brews. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Cox-Henry, Shakeel. "Review: Hell (M.S.W) – Hell". Midlands Metalheads. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 Davis, Cody. "Funeral Doom Friday: HELL's Latest Self-Titled Album is More Terrifying than Literal Hell". Metal Injection. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  7. ↑ Bellino, Vince. "Track Premiere: Hell – 'Helmzmen'". Decibel. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Hell – "Victus" (Song Premiere)". Invisible Oranges. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  9. 1 2 Moore, Doug. "The Best Metal Albums of 2017". Stereogum. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
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