Ordo Ad Chao: Hexvessel, Iress, Reliquia & In Crooked Wonderment

In Crooked Wonderment have an interesting look which is one part Mumford & Son, one part Venetian Carnivale and one part Droog. Musically, they're just as confusing. It starts off as acoustic folk which then becomes more alt rock like Placebo. The folk part is pretty nice but the alt rock is quite clunky. They describe themselves as gothic folk rock which is fairly accurate. A cover of a track from 'The Witcher' TV show is pretty good. They also play a cover of a Poor Man's Poison track and this closes the set but is again a little ungainly. They are definitely better when they lean into the folkier elements of their sound.

Reliquia start off as gothic rock in the vein of Sisters Of Mercy or maybe She Wants Revenge.The vocals are suitably gloomy but I don't rate the drumming too much. It sounds like there are some missed beats here and there. The second track has a Grave Pleasures feel which then switches to a screamed, blackened chorus. 'Temple Curse' is slower and more atmospheric, like 80s goth rock meets Type O Negative, again with a blackened chorus. Much of the set sounds like it could have been in The Lost Boys, which is a compliment.

Iress are hypnotic doom with bewitching vocals. It's music to just close your eyes to and let it take you on a journey. Singer Michelle Malley has a terrific voice, which brings to mind the likes of Chelsea Wolfe and AA Williams. However, there is also a classic rock sensibility there, and real power too, which reminds me of Grace Slick as well. The music is heavy but not claustrophobically so. It also has a beauty and elegance which reminds me of Messa. Very impressive.

It's been almost ten years since I saw Hexvessel live. They sound a little different to how they were then, as they seem to have leaned more into the black metal influences which now positions them as blackened, doomy neofolk. Matt McNerny's vocals are rich, evocative and full of character. The vocals definitely shape their sound, as without them they would be a lot more derivative. 'The Tundra Is Awake' is powerful and hypnotic, whilst 'Listen To The River' is doomy and ominous. The galloping 'Eternal Meadow' is a little like a blackened Iron Maiden but then again, it sounds only like Hexvessel. The swirling, psychedelic 'Phaedra' is excellent. 'Older Than The Gods' ancient sounding spiritual chanting during the intro is captivating, whilst the main body of the track is mesmeric. 'Homeward Polar Spirit' is blasting, icy black metal with a '70s rock chorus. Matt's voice at the climax sounds incredible. The closing 'A Cabin In Montana' is spellbinding, whilst the woozy, grinding guitars during the chorus are striking. Still excellent.