Fury & Flames - Hate Eternal

Being a massive fan of Morbid Angel, I was curious to listen to Eric Rutan's band Hate Eternal, and I have listened to them from their inception in 1997 and eagerly awaited their first release, Conquering the Throne in 1999 and own all of their albums to date. So far I have had mixed feelings about Hate Eternal, on the one hand their technicality and precision drumming is pure class, but on the other, they have often had a very hollow sound and very much lack something, presence? Too much technicality? Confusing guitar work? Poor production? I don't know what the answer is. For all intense and purpose, they are a quality band, great musicians, but something is missing! ...  Read the complete review

Hate Eternal's latest album is all about intensity, smothering the listener in a barrage of hammering drums, clunking bass and roaring guitar that grows old very fast. It seems that by this point, Erik Rutan really has run every idea into the ground, and once the fairly enjoyable opener 'Hell Envenom' concludes with its lead guitar work, the album reveals its true colours as an all-out cacophony blast-fest, and it isn't big or clever. Former drummer Derek Roddy has now been succeeded by Jade Simonetto who performs pretty much the same feat of pounding away relentlessly throughout the album, seemingly ignorant of the idea of variety, and although Cannibal ...  Read the complete review