Infernal tunes

I received this last Sunday, I've been listening to it on the way home & must say that, after several outings, Hate Eternal has no other approach to music but incessant pounding. 

It's a good thing because that's what HE is all about, relentless speed & in-your-face metal riffing. The production here is a little 'different' as the (distorted) bass tones are somewhat more apparent, unlike previous releases where guitars & bass are manifested in a single serving of swirling madness.

It's not a good thing because things become predictable. The line-up here is completed by a pair of lesser knowns (leaving it up to you to know them through the band's home page) but the formula remains the same. But I'm not here to complain because I know there are acts like HE that doesn't wimp out when it comes to aggression.

Hate Eternal: Phoenix Among the Ashes

Erik Rutan is Hate Eternal. The ex-Ripping Corpse guitarist had been at the helm of HE the moment it was put together. Despite having other band commitments along the way- Morbid Angel was one of them- Erik Rutan kept HE going till this day. This 5th full length studio release pretty much established the musical signature of HE- incessant rapid fire drumming coupled with furious guitar riffing. It's rather difficult to single out moments when the band slowed their music down because the aforementioned formula was ingrained into the band's DNA right from the start. In Phoenix, as I had anticipated, there were no deviations from playing music the HE way but it's a curbed ferocity this time round perhaps due to the absence of Shaun Kelly (aslo Erik Rutan's former co-guitarist in Ripping corpse) & it sounded like Mr. Rutan had some active pickups going in this recording. If that's not the case, then it sounded very convincing. I believe it's another day in the office for him, nothing but a great death metal release with lots of instrument competency on offer.

Hate Eternal: Fury and Flames

Fury & Flames is a release on my 2008 anticipations list. Knowing Dim Mak's Shaun Kelly's presence in the recording line-up is very re-assuring guitar-wise. My expectation of every Hate Eternal release is very high, namely because Erik Rutan is a first class guitar proponent/songwriter in this music genre, whose work rate has been consistent since the debut, Conquering the Throne.

True enough, Fury & Flames is a non-compromise in terms of intensity & musicianship. It is heartening to see other members co-writting the tunes but as a whole, Fury & Flames showcased improved production (especially the bass). Rutan's solo approach is still the oriental tinged noodling & if you are familiar with Shaun Kelly's playing style, you can actually identify him in the mix. Great release, to say the least.