This is my first encounter with a Hatesphere CD and I have to say that I hope it will be my last. From beginning to end this is just a horrible unfocussed mess. In the accompanying Press Release the band have unearthed clippings that compare themselves to Pantera, Voivod and Kreator. Excuse me; I really do not think so. Undoubtedly, this is a very heavy album and if being heavy for the sake of it appeals to you then buy it, however, as Hatesphere describe themselves as, “melodic modern thrash,” then we could really do with some melody. Let’s comb through the wreckage like Horatio Caine shall we? 

Without doubt Hatesphere have loads of pent-up aggression and nowhere is this more obvious than on the opener Lies and Deceit which shows that the boys are very unhappy bunnies indeed and even feel the need to call the object of their hatred a c**t. Hardcore. Still, it’s good to get the phrase, “fed-up” in any song. The Slain is next and adds more death metal type vocals to the mix but Mr Melody is still AWOL. 

On Damned below Judas the band seem to be striving for speed for speed’s sake and it just doesn’t work for me. On the other hand Drinking with the King of the Band has an almost country-ish introduction before becoming more like Pantera (not necessarily good Pantera though.) 

Forever War is routinely fast and furious without going anywhere: Ditto Feeding the Demons. Floating and the last song Absolution again suffer from a surfeit of aggression without direction, however, there is one shining light on the album which is the penultimate song Let them Hate which actually has a tune and feels slightly slower and more thoughtful than the rest and for me gives an indication of what Hatesphere can be capable of. 

Hatesphere have more than enough fans to totally ignore this review and probably aren’t overly fussed with mainstream exposure but they do appear destined to remain on the outside looking in at the more successful extreme artists.

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Track Listing

Lies And Deceit
The Slain
Damned Below Judas
Drinking With The King Of The Dead
Forever War
Feeding The Demons
Floating
Let Them Hate
Absolution
Forever War

Line Up

Jacob Bredahl - Vocals
Anders Gyldenohr - Drums
Mikael Ehlert - Bass
Peter Lyse Hansen - Guitars
Henrik Jacobsen - Guitars