Review: “Hatred Reborn” by HateSphere

Produced by Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Born From Pain, Dark Tranquillity) at the legendary Antfarm Studio, the return of Danish Dukes of Death Thrash HateSphere with an eleventh studio album in “Hatred Reborn” finds the band in a new realm of existence. After a decade at the helm vocalist Esben Elnegaard Kjær Hansen exited stage left in 2020 with Michael Olsson of Blood Eagle fame filling his boots. However somewhere along the line the decision was made not to take that into the studio with Mathias Uldall, a man known for his work in Royal Deceit stepping in last year, making him the fifth vocalist in 23 years. Around him the band remains the same line up that appeared on 2018’s EP “Kapitalismen” EP and follow up full length “Reduced To Flesh” with guitarist Peter Lyse Hansen the only original member, drummer Mike Park Nielsen having served 14 years, bassist Jimmy Nedergaard 12 years and guitarist Kasper Kirkegaard 7 years respectively. Their presence in the band fitting punishment for their crimes against humanity in Clients, Necrosis, Feticide, Mercenary, The Arcane Order and Slow Death Factory to name but a few.

Rather than starting with an all out aggressive face melting number to get the blood pumping and adrenaline flowing, HateSphere give us an acoustic instrumental number with sinister vibes in “The Awakening” which seems a bizarre choice as the album title track which follows is very much what the opening cut should have been. A full on, high octane, high caffeine staccato riff infestation during the aggressive verses and armed with a chorus adorned by Melodic Death Metal leads, this one plays to the bands strengths and showcases Uldall’s unclean vocal abilities. It’s the metaphorical equivalent of a punch in the face in response to the opening cuts gentle tap on the shoulder. No relation to the Sepultura cut of the same name “Cutthroat” teases with riffs of real swagger and verve and an almost tribal drumming section from Nielsen in the mid section that is the stuff of which nightmares are made, a little bit Black ‘n Roll and very slick. “Gravedigger” then harness the bands love of Speed Thrash and gives us something that increases the aggression levels dramatically. An extended solo flies off the fretboard like a phoenix rising from the ashes as Uldall roars “Dig your shovel deep!” in menacing fashion, the band finishing the cut with all guns blazing to create a real stand out.

Dark and brooding “918” layers clean and unclean vocal parts in an evil chorus that injects a sense of melody into an otherwise thunderous effort that stomps along like a beast crushing everything in its path. It feels like the band have extended the end of the cut to act as a palate cleanser rather than have an interlude piece to give a momentary respite before the frantic and frenetic opening of “Darkspawn” hits and that is a decision well taken as it means the next cut hits harder. A “Bleigh!” moment is wholly unexpected but cracks a smile, as does the bloodcurdling roar that follows shortly thereafter, each moment let alone each track confirming that Uldall is the right vocalist for HateSphere going forward. Complete with an acoustic introduction and a bass solo “The Truest Form of Pain” pulls out all the stops in its pursuit of Death Thrash perfection as the band give us atmosphere and aggression with sinister nuances and a face melting solo during a rampage of riffs designed to cause tectonic plates to shift. It’s a powerhouse from genre masters that begs the question – just how do you create a live set list when you have so many absolute bangers up your sleeves? No relation of the Deathcore band of the same name “Brand of Sacrifice” is much more of a slow burner spiced up with heavier and faster moments to maintain the flow of the record. Packed with groove and punch it makes for a nice contrast to the cuts that came before it and arguably wouldn’t fit anywhere else on the album.

Following Pantera or Pissing Razors vibes once more “A Violent Compulsion” dials us into that Texas Groove Metal sound that we know and love for an instrumental that then bursts into flames as the opening of “Spitting Teeth” tears a hole in the fabric of space and time with pure speed and aggression. Hitting like the fist of an Iron giant from Pacific Rim and generating a whirlpool of a circle pit in the process, this one would be a fierce way to finish any Death Thrash record if it wasn’t for the bands cover of “Another Piece of Meat” by Scorpions. Fear not however as the band haven’t sold their souls on this one, instead making this version their own which works fabulously well as you get the sing-a-long chorus you might know (and love?) alongside a tour de force of HateSphere. If the album title is a reference to the band feeling reinvigorated and rejuvenated due to the presence of Uldall then that is without doubt the case because this is a very strong offering from an underrated band [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. The Awakening
2. Hatred Reborn
3. Cutthroat
4. Gravedigger
5. 918
6. Darkspawn
7. The Truest Form of Pain
8. Brand of Sacrifice
9. A Violent Compulsion
10. Spitting Teeth
11. Another Piece of Meat (Scorpions cover)
12. The Fallen Shall Rise in a River of Blood (Live)

“Hatred Reborn” by HatesSphere is out 24th March 2023 via Scarlet Records