HATE ETERNAL I, Monarch Earache Records reviewed by JOSH ANXT Return to Reviews

Erik Rutan has to be the most underrated guy in death metal ever. From his time in Ripping Corpse, up through Morbid Angel and Alas, it has always been about quality. Hate Eternal are no different. Even in the early demo days when Erik was then accompanied by Cannibal Corpse bassist Alex Webster and Vital Remains drummer Tim Yeung, it has been nothing but quality, brutal, ultra fast death metal. I, Monarch, the bands third album is now setting the brutality standard once again. Derek Roddy, the bands drummer for years now, is just simply insane. I have no clue how a guy can keep energy flowing endlessly like that. For anyone who has ever done studio work, you know its just hours of non stop playing. So for him to be able to do that is beyond me. There are other elements besides blasting here too though. "To Know Your Enemy" and the title track both have slower melodic interludes before building back up to craziness. Theres also quite a bit of mid 90's sounding Morbid Angel leads going on here for obvious reasons. The vocals are mainly low and rough with the from time to time Glen Benton high/low doubling going on. Older fans of the band I think will be pleased with this album. If your not familiar yet, but enjoy ultra fast and heavy death metal, let this be your start. Highly recommended...