Review: “May Death Come Quickly” by The Hate Project

Hailing from Kalmar in Sweden, The Hate Project are a Deathcore band who first appeared on our radar with “Father Of Sin” in 2020. That just so happened to be the first of four waterfall released singles in the build up to debut album “Seize The Obscurity” which landed seven months later as the band made their presence felt by combining raw heaviness and powerful groove. A pair of EPs in 2022’s “From Flesh To Soil” and 2023’s “Blessed With Malevolence” followed as the wrecking ball continued to swing, smashing everything in its path. The later of those two records was their debut in partnership with Seek And Strike Records (Exist Immortal, Upon A Burning Body, Orbit Culture) and now they return. Once again mixed and mastered by Simone Pietroforte (Distant, ROT, Gassed Up) at Divergent Studios,  EP “May Death Come Quickly” is their 2024 burnt offering…

…the bludgeoning begins with “Sons of Damnation“, a scalding, intense heavy hitter of an opening cut painted with touches of the Symphonic. Pietroforte has made the rhythm section sound huge with the thunderous percussive battery weaponised so you feel your ear canals shake as the track plays out. It’s like a warzone with the rumbling bass the sound of approaching imminent doom, dark swirling ambient synths adding a sinister edge as the vocals switch between shriller harsh uncleans and Slam blood gargling. A brutal opening cut of vicious intent, it lays down the gauntlet to the likes of Distant, Bonecarver and Angelmaker as a reminder that they need to stay frosty to remain on the thrones. Oppressive atmospheres continue with the punishment beating that is “Deep In The Mire” smashes the clock in fear. Ethereal touches heighten the senses as the vocals become more and more demonic with a blackened style lyrical narrative and seven or eight string guitars that make mincemeat of your brain. Then the tyrannosaurus rex climbs from the tar pit, roaring with a new found sense of freedom as “Diabolic Seer” takes a leaf from the Crown Magnetar playbook. A mean, menacing, groove laden opening salvo sets the tone as the war drums literally pound, staccato riff breaks and machine gun fire kit work providing the covering fire for a vicious tale of a future tragedies. After that skull crushing, the lyrical title track “The Serpent’s Grip” feels like it could be a metaphor. Another brute of a track that will get the necks snapping and the game faces on those in the pit, this bone shattering piece of work has a downtempo moment of pure class at its black beating heart. The whispered moment is not only perfectly placed but impeccably executed and when the tune stops on a dime it will leave you crying tears of blood because you want more! “May Death Come Quickly” is so damn good that it ensures that the band remain a shining light in a genre that has become resurgent in recent times. Long may that continue. [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Sons of Damnation
2. Deep In The Mire
3. Diabolic Seer
4. The Serpent’s Grip

“May Death Come Quickly” by The Hate Project is out 8th November 2024 and is available over at bandcamp