Portland Phoenix | Onward, Stallions: Hessian's 'Mercenary Retrograde' revives the Maine metal ideal

The occult metal band Hessian is one of Portland’s more storied musical organizations. Anchored by the songwriting, guitar playing and singing of Angus McFarland, Hessian could be called “throwbacky” or “old school,” but there’s a dismissiveness about both of those labels that feels wrong. Make no bones about it, Hessian does indeed allow inspiration of the “Old Ones” (your Thin Lizzys, Deep Purples, and various waves of British heavy metal) to characterize the music. At times Hessian can be totally hilarious — but it’s not meant to be performative. It’s just who they are. 

Hessian formed in 2008, a partnership between McFarland and former co-front person and guitar player Salli Wason, who had previously worked together in the band Hatchetface and the Vipers. They released an EP in 2010 and a full-length, Bachelor of Black Arts, in 2014, but during those five years Hessian were mostly a live act, shredding up regional stages and making a name on a national run.