Wrath of the Reaper is the return from San Francisco's Hexx, a speed metal/thrash band who emerged on the scene in the mid-'80s and debuted with No Escape on Shrapnel Records before changes in labels and personnel sort of sidetracked their career and led to their demise by the time the early '90s rolled around. Fast forward to 2017 and Hexx are back, returning to their power metal & thrash roots for this new release on High Roller Records. Currently the band consists of Eddy Vega (vocals), Dan Watson (guitar), Bob Wright (guitar), Mike Horn (bass), and John Shafer (drums).
Comprised of 11 new songs, Wrath of the Reaper is an energetic and fun release, the band taking their early US power metal sound mixed with thrash elements to new heights on bruisers such as "Slave in Hell", "Screaming Sacrifice", and "Dark Void of Evil". With Vega's high pitched wailing the dual guitar attack, comparisons to Judas Priest, Leige Lord, Omen, and Vicious Rumours are inevitable, but Hexx more than deliver some exciting, crushing tunes here with some serious guitar firepower. "Exhumed For the Reaping" kicks some major ass, the drums pounding, the vocals slicing, and the guitars sizzling, while the title cut is a lethal slice of early speed metal majesty with plenty of gallop.
If you are a fan of the early '80s heavy metal scene, chances are Wrath of the Reaper will find a welcome home in your music collection. Welcome back guys!
Track Listing
01. Macabre Procession of Specters
02. Screaming Sacrifice
03. Slave in Hell
04. Swimming the Witch
05. Dark Void of Evil
06. Unraveled
07. Voices
08. Exhumed for the Reaping
09. Circle the Drain
10. Wrath of the Reaper
11. Certificate of Death (CD BONUS TRACK)