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Hexx are a Californian Heavy/Power Metal band that started out back in 1983 (as Paradox) and released a couple of pretty well-received albums: No Escape in 1984 and Under the Spell two years later. After those two albums, Hexx went through a musical metamorphosis and turned into a savage sounding Death/Thrash unit, releasing two EPs and one more album (Morbid Reality) in 1991, slowly withering away in 1995.

Having only Dan Watson left from the original Hexx line-up, the band has become a 5-piece with such members as drummer John Shafer, who was in the band from 1986 to 1995, and guitarist Bobbie Wright, who's become known for his involvement in Brocas Helm. The band's comeback album, Wrath of the Reaper, is a return to form for Hexx; the kind of Heavy/Power Metal style all of us knew them for, along with a modern Heavy Metal sound. Every Hexx album has had a different vocalist, and so does this comeback. Eddie Vega represents the classic school of Heavy Metal vocally, sounding a bit like the bastard child of David Wayne (R.I.P.) and Rob Halford in his later years (without any high-pitched screams). He has a great voice that beautifully completes the sound of the band. The songs all adhere to the quality Hexx were known for on their first two albums, full of catchy riffs and nice hooks.

From the pompous and ominous "Swimming the Witch" to the powerful "Voices," and on to the refreshingly up-tempo-ish "Exhumed for the Reaping," the album has a lot to offer. I am glad they decided to reform and continue their uncompromising Heavy Metal crusade where they left off back in 1986.