‘Hexagon’ by Perhaps
New album by Boston’s Perhaps is currently being pressed over in Germany. The LP will be officially released by Riot Season Records in mid October and is a limited 300 only black vinyl edition in a high gloss finished sleeve. It’s wonderful kraut/psych/space-rock from their own little universe. NOBODY sounds like Perhaps. And that can only be a good thing!
cos·mic in·ter·ven·tion
/ˈkäzmik/ˌin(t)ərˈven(t)SH(ə)n / :
– The act of unexplainable phenomenon occurring in an attempt to stop a particular event from unfolding, for the better of the universe.
On a summer evening in July, 2008, reports of large hexagonal monoliths appearing suspended in the sky, in plain view of whoever was near to notice would begin to roll in to various news organizations and police stations. Initially, little to no physical evidence was recorded and what had been reported was shrugged-off and received little coverage other than by fringe/ supernatural publications. Over the following years, these monoliths would be periodically seen by locals in various areas around the world, with notable concentrations being in the deserts of New Mexico, densely-wooded Central African jungles, and a handful of Micronesian islands. Following all sightings, a record of irregular tectonic activity would be reported by local geologists and would often result in a strange sonic phenomenon, later nick-named “the sounding of the seventh trumpet”.
At the time, little was made of these sightings/ phenomena by means of legitimate press. However, a rabid cult-like following would begin to form around the appearances of these monoliths; fueled through online chat rooms and forums, these groups of monolith-chasers would begin to post detailed sightings, often camping out in hot spot areas for weeks, or even months at a time. If not for the “seekers of the hexagon”, as they later coined themselves, nothing would have been found in the way of truth about these structures.
During the height of the hexagon phenomenon, I was lead field reporter for a currently defunct supernatural magazine called Mysterion, who were paramount in finally cracking the first lead toward finding the source of the monolith’ sappearances. This lead would come from an interview with a controversial figure within the “Seeker” community, a man named Left-Eye Louis. A veteran of several wars currently living as an ex-pat within a community of African shamans, Louis would have several intimate encounters with the hexagonal structure. Apparently, Louis had encountered the monolith physically, and through shamanic practices had managed to establish a connection and line of communication with the hexagon. These communications were continuous, yet unstable, and resulted in the physical deformity responsible for his name sake. Louis was partially blind in his right eye and missing his left entirely, it being replaced by a grotesque cauterization. When asked about his feelings towards his deformity, he was quoted in saying that the trade was worth it tenfold, and that communication with the structure had resulted in a form of enlightenment, and ability to speak with the cosmos.
Throughout the interview with Left-Eye Louis, which spanned several days, it was revealed to me that the hexagonal monolith was not a singular entity, but rather several concepts fluctuating and changing all at once. All monoliths are unique, yet fall under the same umbrella-like dimension, and are inconceivably ancient. According to Louis, the hexagons are sonic beings, and are composed of abstract sonic concepts. These beings, as Louis claimed, possess a deep, cosmic intelligence, and are not appearing willingly, but are rather being summoned. All the rest of the information we were able to obtain was during a shamanicséance, and was written in an alien hieroglyph composed entirely of hexagons.
This transcription was sat on for a number of years, being dismissed or laughed away by all academics or linguists it was sent to until finally, after being leaked on several Seeker forums, a college music major came forth. He claimed that he had noticed similarities between the glyphs, and certain Atonal music notations he had been studying for school. After a few months of intense work, he was able to roughly decipher the séance message into some form of comprehendible English transcription, with the help of a few open-minded linguistic students. The message was disturbingly choppy and fragmented, reading: “PERHAPS…. COLLAPSE……END…PERHAPS”.
While haunting, the only true lead gained from the transcription was a point toward a controversial music groupcalled Perhaps, who gained infamy through press coverage of various disturbing recording methods, and the production of reportedly mind-altering music. In a fashion similar to the Seekers of the Hexagon, Perhaps had gained a rabid, yet cryptic cult fanbase of people frantically searching for the groups whereabouts.
In a frightening paramount of evidence, research revealed reported sightings of the band in all the same areas in which the hexagonal monoliths had concentrated their presence, with the final haunting climax coming with the unveiling of Perhaps’ latest album title: Hexagon.
Whether or not the Hexagon phenomena was a result of Perhaps’ meddling with cosmic phenomena is yet to be seen. If such is the case, the Seekers and Perhaps fans still reported missing from excursions to find the monolith and bands’ whereabouts may be something to be held accountable for. Still, with the “Hexagon” release drawing near, the anxieties felt in my time reporting on the story, and the haunting message relayed by the monolith still rings clear. What could truly behold within the album? And what consequences does it hold for us all?
– Sam Hailstone
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