HATESPHERE

To The Nines

Napalm Records/ CD 2009

HATESPHERE is one of those bands from a thrash/death metal scene which has its own characteristic and easily recognizable style. There is something thrilling in their vision of thrash metal and I have to admit that both their previous albums, “The Sickness Within” and “Serpent Smiles and Killer Eyes”, were on my playlist for a very long time. What is more, I've had an opportunity to see them live and their performance, as I had supposed earlier, turned out to be a great and really energetic experience. All these has whetted my appetite for a new album.

Eventually, I got to listen to the newest work of the Danes and, to be honest, I have mixed feelings about this album.On the one hand, it is a really solid record full of interesting riffs which along with typical thrash metal rhythms constitute a genuinely dynamic blend. Right from the beginning, HATESPHERE attacks us with, typical for them, aggression and fierceness. As usual, some hardcore influences audible making this music more rebellious. Still, we have some guitar solos here and there (“Cloaked In shit”, “Backstabber”, “The Writings On The Wall”, “In The Trenches”) and a great epic interlude somewhere in the middle of the album (“Commencing A Campaign”) which add some subtlety to this record. When it comes to probably the most intersting aspect of this album, namely a new singer, well, there is no denying that he fits the band perfectly following in Jacob's footsteps. Probably, I would list many other positive sides of this album and everything would be fine, if I didn't know their previous records.

And this is the other side of the coin. When I'm listining to this album I can't escape the feeling that I've heared it all already. Even the change in the line-up hasn't introduced almost anything new. Looking through the prism of their previous records, it becomes clear that this album lacks something fresh and intriguing. And, in principle, this is the only flaw. Unfortunately, HATESPHERE hasn't surprised me with this record. It's a pity that their characteristc style, which I I've written above, has become a curse for them. Well, don't get me wrong, this is a good album, but I expected even the smallest trace of evolution.

Still, if you are not familiar with the music of HATESPHERE, reach for this album since it is quite representative. Also, I believe that the fans of this Danish quintet will fall in love with this record at once.

8/12