REVIEW: Hex Divided - Hex Divided I

10 years on from his previous band APPOLLONIA, Vincent Mery has made his triumphant return to music with his brand new project HEX DIVIDED, a one-man project of epic riffs and hooks, commanding drumbeats, and searing lyrics delivered with a silkiness that threads into powerfully husky notes. You won’t need to wait long to appreciate HEX DIVIDED’s taste of alt-metal with the impending release of the EP Hex Divided I, a short but sweet collection that shows the evolution of his sound and talent, as well as a tribute to THE SMITHS game-changing album The Queen Is Dead with his fresh take on There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. 

The timing of his re-emergence into music couldn’t be more perfectly timed as THE SMITHS celebrate the whopping 40th anniversary of their prime album. A love letter to a track that’s inspired so many other artists lovingly nestled between pace-changing, atmospheric original tracks, Hex Divided I is an exceptional reintroduction and display of Mery’s technical skills coupled with his unwavering passion for music.

Opening with a building percussive roll and faint guitar riff, The Faithless is Mery’s first opportunity to hook you in on the EP and he executes this seamlessly. With driving beats and a bassline that growls underneath the post-metal riffs, it’s a track that calls up the spirit of 90s prog-rock to meld with modern post-metal in its rhythms and lyrics that weave from velvet smooth to jagged calls for you “embrace the beast in your heart”, choral voices echoing out before giving space to an understated guitar solo.

By & By shreds from the off with intent guitar hooks and a pulverising bass riff, Mery’s voice overlapping itself with harmonious pitches before he uncages a bitter yell, the melody bringing to life the sound and energy of AUDIOSLAVE. Chinese Democracy plunges into a deeper and darker pitch with an addictive riff and steady bass that briefly overpowers the drums before they crash back in with purpose, the vocals dipping and swooping around notes like a murmuration as the lyrics proclaim “I’ve got shit to do, I’ve got love to harness” that captures the attitude and rhythms of classic 90s grunge.

Starting with a funky drum roll and riff, Heart of Gold (They Say) feels significantly more upbeat with a blend of prog-rock rhythms and alt-metal hooks and beats, the solos shifting from pleasantly indie to a jagged medley of piercing notes that keeps you on your toes, everything dropping away to Mery’s lone, dropped vocals before it slams back in with an exultant crescendo ending. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out has had an endless number of homages paid to it, and HEX DIVIDED’s take on it shows exactly why it’s a popular choice, blending layered instrumentals with a heavier feel over the haunting vocals sung in a softer, higher pitch, the result sets it apart from other covers with its juxtaposition of melodies and gives it a fresh prog-rock look.

Cruel Tide closes out the EP with a heavy, catchy intro riff DON BROCO would appreciate, the sound shifting to a more epic rhythm with soaring guitar solos and blistering drums, the bass evident throughout the track without taking the spotlight from the other instruments. Where The Faithless was the first chance to get your attention, Cruel Tide is HEX DIVIDED’s vow there’s plenty more to come on their new, shining venture.

Score: 8/10

Hex Divided I will be self released on 3rd July 2026.

Words: Julia Stark

Photos: Hex Divided I