Interviews: Hex A.D.

We have had the opportunity to interview the Hard Rock/Doom Metal band Hex A.D. from Norway. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

I was inspired by an album by Bigelf actually. Their album Hex was a huge favorite when it came out. The A.D. part was added when I realized that there were other bands that were called Hex as well. The “A.D.” stands for Anno Domini (Year of the Lord) and reflects upon your troubled age which can seem cursed to some.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Slow, mystical, and dramatic music has always come naturally to me. It’s almost like the music is there already and just needs to come out and be recorded.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

As it was a one-man-band for quite a few years I would say so. I have a vague idea of who I am… I mean, I brush my teeth every morning. 

4. Each band member favourite band? 

Arry/ bass player – The Beatles

Mags/ organist – Deep Purple

Matt/ drummer – Iron Maiden

Rick/ guitarist/singer/drummer – Black Sabbath

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

We can’t stand here and say that we’re not inspired by classic rock, prog, and folk,- it’s obvious that we are! We love music, and let all kinds of different music inspire us. As the primary writer, my main musical inspirations are music from the ‘70s and ‘80s. After having toured the world for ten years as Paul DiAnno’s and Blaze Bayley’s drummer, it’d be impossible for me not to let a taste of Iron Maiden seep into my compositions. Iommi is definitely a huge inspiration as well, but not like many other doomy bands who only worship Master of Reality. I live and breathe Black Sabbath – all eras! The Dio years especially, but Headless Cross and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath have inspired me immensely! I read a lot too, and find it extremely rewarding to keep learning new things. In addition to that, documentaries, history, and world conflicts inspire me the most. 

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was at Bölgen in Larvik in February 2020. We has Per Wiberg (ex- Opeth, Spiritual Beggars, etc) with us on keyboards for a few shows due to Mags having other commitments.

7. Where would you like to play?

We love to play live and would of course love to play gigs all over the world. Since our sound is very British, and I started the band with producer Chris Tsangarides in England, I feel that our spiritual home will always be the UK. We have been contacted to play a South-American tour in the future and we will of course look into that when the world reopens. It would be amazing! 

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I truly believe that fans of Ghost, Candlemass, Opeth, Deep Purple, Spiritual Beggars, Iron Maiden and Steven Wilson’s first four solo-albums would enjoy our music and live shows, so a support slot for Iron Maiden or Ghost would of course be great. I have no ambition to support bands where I know the fans wouldn’t “get” what we’re about. Future projects already in motion, I suspect would be a great warm-up to a Roger Waters concert.

9. Whom not? 

Any band or artist we have nothing in common with.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

Not that I know! We get excited about performing. My best advice is to keep in mind that the audience is there because they want you to succeed and be good! They want to enjoy what you’re doing, so they’re always there as your friends and supporters! It’s all about sharing the art in the moment! 

11. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

I can only think of one thing, and it turned out to be bloody fantastic – a fan asked us to come to his private metal-quiz event! Some of us made it, and it was of course totally brilliant! I made a category consisting of only TNT-related songs… how’s that for a nerdy evening??

12. What do you think of your fans?

Our fans are of course fantastic. Some of them have become friends over the years, and we love to chat and take an interest in their views on our music and hard rock in general. Sometimes we stay behind after gigs chatting away with our fans. Who wouldn’t?

13. What do you think of our site? 

I got sent this interview directly to me via our promo people without a link to your site, so I’m sorry to say that I haven’t seen it. If you send me a link I’d be glad to check it out and get back to you!

14. Something to ad?

Art is what makes sense in this world! Don’t let yourself get distracted by all the digital noise that’s only designed to make you numb! Go for a walk, sit by the sea, read, paint, listen to music, listen to the birds singing – love yourself and remember that there is much to celebrate and enjoy!