Hexenhaus - Awakening (2025)

Hexenhaus's 1991 album Awakening stands as a significant entry in the Swedish metal scene, blending elements of thrash, progressive, and power metal. The album showcases the band's technical prowess, with intricate compositions that maintain accessibility despite their complexity. Tracks like "Necronomicon ex Mortis" exemplify this balance, featuring multifaceted structures without overwhelming the listener .

The 2025 remastered reissue of Awakening has been praised for enhancing the album's depth while preserving its original atmosphere. The inclusion of a demo version of the title track offers additional insight into the band's creative process .
Critics have noted the album's evolution towards a more progressive sound compared to earlier works. The production quality has been highlighted for its richness, complementing the album's heavier tracks . However, some reviewers have pointed out that the vocals may not align seamlessly with the music's intensity, suggesting a mismatch in style .

Despite receiving favorable reviews upon its initial release, Awakening did not achieve widespread recognition, a fact attributed to the band's limited promotional efforts at the time. The reissue aims to bring renewed attention to this overlooked gem in the metal genre .