Doom metal group HÄG from St. John’s, Newfoundland, is spinning an 8-part nightmare of the best kind with their self-titled debut release. Embodying the energy of the night hag, the band is pulling listeners into their world of horrors and trapping them there for the duration of the album.
The band consists of Andrew Wicks and Adam Hefferman on guitar, Josh Ward on Bass and, currently, Patrick Tarrant on drums (though Keith Harding played the drums in the album) as well as Clair Hipditch as vocalist.
In their earlier days, the group found common ground when discussing their experiences with sleep paralysis.
“Sleep paralysis is a somewhat common occurrence throughout the world, but there’s a particular Newfoundland iteration which often manifests as a creepy old lady with supernatural strength, who generally immobilizes the victim,” says Ward. “. . . We feel the concept of the night hag is pretty fitting with the dark themes we explore in the music, like dread, the supernatural and the surreal.”
The mythical night hag has been said to come to you as you sleep and embody your worst nightmare. It renders you completely helpless and unable to move. Whether this creature is sitting or standing on your chest or merely paralyzing you with fear, it haunts you in your most vulnerable state.
“We also were all standing around after a rehearsal one day talking about our own experiences with the night hag, and we had all experienced it personally or through our families, so it kind of clicked,” says Hefferman.
And the theme fits the music. With haunting vocals layered over deep guitar riffs and heavy drums, the album’s eight tracks conjure dark and sinister images. Instrumental interludes hit the listener with heavy beats that wash over them and submerge them in the paranormal world of HÄG.
What else could you expect from a band that was basically born of the wish to sound like they could perform at the Roadhouse in Twin Peaks?
“When we started the band a couple of years back, we imagined that we were going to try and create some kind of greasy biker rock band because we were watching a lot of David Lynch’s Return to Twin Peaks,” says Hefferman. “We really, really wanted to fit in on stage at the Roadhouse. I imagine a lot of weirdness from that season of the show influenced the emotions we were trying to capture as well.”
While the lyrical topics on the release can be perceived as purely mythical, the band says further meaning may be hidden under the surface.
“Without being too specific — I like to leave a little mystery — [the lyrics cover] generally the tendency for humans in power to destroy and conquer,” says Wicks, “whether that be the people that inhabit the planet or the planet itself.”
“Some of the songs border fictional narratives,” says Hipditch, “but are based on our understanding of the world. About the damage humans can do to each other, our environment, and the fallout that ensues.”
Drawing influences from bands like such psychedelic greats as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and King Crimson as well as heavier groups like YOB, Asunder and Bell Witch, among others, the band manages to combine their sounds in an unexpectedly pleasant way. The result is something that feels familiar to seasoned doom metal fans yet refreshingly original.
With added hints of progressive, alternative and psychedelic melodies throughout the album, HÄG is bringing something unique to the table. Droning riffs meet upbeat melodies in harmonious unison.
Though all tracks on the release have their merit, highlights include the previously-released single “Summon The Earth To Lay Claim Back The Soil” as well as “Your Skin.” Carrying memorable and original melodies, these tracks have a lot to offer and immerse listeners in the band’s original sound.
HÄG’s self-titled album is a solid debut release, and we hope it’s not the last we hear of them.