Hellixxir Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
We finished our new music video for the song “Oxymoronic way of life” (https://youtu.be/kBu9kl4rOuQ). We plan to record a 2nd one during the summer 2020. We also try to book some shows from next September and we’re working on new songs.


2.In October you also had released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff  you have released in the past?
The Black Fortress is our 3rd full length album, was released on october 18th. In my opinion, it has by far the darkest but at the same time the most refined and subtle atmosphere we ever created in our music. We worked a lot on the sound, the lyrics and visuals. We are pretty proud of the end result. To my mind, it differs from the previous albums and demos because this album is much more extreme, aggressive and our new singer Alexandre comes from the Black Metal scene. However, the melody and the main riffs remain what Hellixxir always did. At the moment, it sells pretty well thanks to our label Music Records, a vinyl disc is now available.

3.This is also your first release since 2011, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?
In 2011, we also lost our bassist/singer and true friend Camille in a tragic car accident, so we needed time to go on.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
The Black Fortress is about loss of self, ordinary madness and absurdity of today's era expressed in a sharp and dark Thrash-Black metal. It also refers to the band's headquarters, an old manor house in northern Isère that has a certain historical past, in which Hellixxir composed and recorded the album. Songwriting is a very intuitive process for us, so the main goal is to keep spontaneity, simplicity and the good feeling.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name "Hellixxir'?
Hellixxir is a combination from various words: first the “Elixir”, as the magical or medicinal potion, then “Hell” for the spiritual realm of evil and suffering and finally “XXI” for the 21st century.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
All the pictures were taken in our headquarters in order to illustrate the concept of The Black Fortress. As for the songwriting, we worked quickly with no particular effects to keep spontaneity. Looking at the artwork produces me a mysterious feeling between dream and reality in a very dark atmosphere… did you see the ghost on the cover?




7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We want to play simple but right, with the good intensity and feeling: that’s all. Sobriety is the main word. We shared the stage with international bands such as Entombed, Belphegor, Melechesh or Decapitated, such an honor! But the good show is not necessary the biggest one: we want to share emotions and have fun.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
Normally we had several concerts from March to June 2020, but everything is postponed because of the COVID-19 situation. We will see later when everything will be safe.

9.The new album was released on 'Music Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Jeff and Valentin are doing a good job for us in France but also all over the world, and working with a small structure allowed us to go fast.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of black, death and thrash metal?
No idea! Hellixxir is a small band but our reviews have always been positive, honestly. We are thankful of that.

11.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
In the past we all played in different bands but we do not have enough time now. Hellixxir has always been my true project. I work sometimes for friends by recording guitars, the last one is the song “The Worship Of The Sun” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3fJRWFSVT0).

12.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We live and enjoy the present first! There is no particular plan for the future but we still have inspiration and ideas.



13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks a lot for your support and all the job you do for the metal scene. Let's kill the Covid-19!

https://www.facebook.com/Hellixxir/

Hellixxir/The Black Fortress/Music Records/2019 CD Review

  Hellixxir  are  a  band  from  France  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "The  Black  Fortress"  which  was  released  by  Music  Records.

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Vocals  bring  in  a  mixture  of  blackened  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  along  with  the  riffing  being  very  heavily  influenced  by  thrash  metal  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

   When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  music  also  adds  in  a  good  mixture  of  both  old  school  and  modern  influences.  During  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  as  well  as  a  few  tracks also  adding  in  a  small  amount  spoken  word  parts.

  Acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks  as  well  as  the  vocals  also  adding  in  more  of  a  death/thrash  style  at  times.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  tremolo  picking  also  being  utilized  in  some  of  the  faster  riffing,  one  track  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  melodic  chanting  vocals  and  they  also  bring  in  an  instrumental  as  the  album  progresses.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Hellixxir  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Black  Fortress"  "Pure  Contingency"  "A  Journey  To  The  Ineffable"  and  "Theodicy".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/Hellixxir/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VIDzGbWiDY