Hex Machine was formed in 2004 by drummer Dave Witte of Municipal Waste, Melt Banana, Burnt by the Sun and Discordance Axis. The four-song EP, Run to Earth, was recorded by three of the original members, as Witte needed to devote his time to his other bands. Chris Gallo (Clockhammer, Chainsaw Jazz) took Witte's place alongside guitarist Scott Hudgins (Sliang Laos, Tulsa Drone), Trevor Thomas (ex-Human Thurma, ((HRM)) )and Paul Webb to complete the current Hex Machine line-up, "a modern day result of the heavy Richmond, VA sounds of the early 90s."
The guitars are easily the loudest part on Run to Earth. Both guitarists combine to take over half of what is heard throughout the EP; mainly low-end fret work dosed with higher pitched bends and delay, highlighted on "Peristalsis Hilton," comprise the songs. Comparisons to bands like The Melvins and The Jesus Lizard have been made on the band's press sheet, because of Hex Machine's heavy reliance on thick guitar tones.
"Run to Earth" is an all instrumental track that attests to the band's noise rock and metal roots. In the same vein, "Nude Model Harvey" plays with math rock and keeps the same heaviness of the eponymous opener. "Peristalsis Hilton," the third track, is the band's best work on the EP. Hex Machine avoids the low-end for a while by dabbling in experimental sounds and changing parts more often than the other songs.
The Molsook Records press sheet explains that the band was originally an improvisational/ambient duo featuring Witte and Thomas, but it's hard to envision Hex Machine playing anything that could be called "ambient." Some of the guitar parts on "Peristalsis Hilton" sound less heavy, but the majority of the EP is bottom-heavy tracks. Run to Earth is the band's second release after a self-titled 7" on Relapse Records in 2006. I don't know what the music on the 7" sounds like, but I wonder if it displays the more improvisational side to Hex Machine. Either way, the band's current sound is thickset and tightly spun.
If you can't forget the early 90's Richmond noise rock scene, check out what's going on over a decade later. Even if you don't know shit about Richmond, VA, Hex Machine deserves your time if you've got a thing for the 90's and loud guitar.
