Review: “Thanatocracy” by Hymns of Hadean

An old school Death Metal band hailing from Guwahati in India, Hymns of Hadean began life in 2021 exploring themes of mortality, violence, fanaticism and the darker machinery of the human mind. A four piece who feature in their ranks a pair of current members of Thirst Of Faust, the band have gone through a wealth of line up changes while crafting their debut record and earning a reputation of the live performances alongside the likes of Fountainhead, Gutslit and Godless but guitarist Anindya Sarkar and guitarist vocalist Arka Dasgupta have remained ever present.

The band describe “Thanatocracy” as a record which moves through different manifestations of violence rather than treating death as a single subject. It begins with humanity’s destructive relationship with the world, moves into psychological manipulation and mass violence, descends into individual murderous obsession, gives a voice to the forgotten dead, and closes with the weaponisation of scientific knowledge…

The bell tolls on humanity during introduction piece “The Hadean Invocation” which sets the tone for the record perfectly, acting as a palate cleanser for the mind like a classic horror movie opening scene before the nightmarish “Genocide” begins. Programmed drums from Suraj Biswas are a means to an ends, giving a the opening cut a bio-mechanical edge without being stuck in overdrive. 90’s American Death Metal influences rise to the surface giving the track a nostalgic quality that is hard to resist, a powerful, climbing solo the icing on the metaphorical cake of sinister riffs and barked harsh vocals.

Turning to the perspective of a serial killer “Cleaver Call” is a dark descent into madness with malicious intent. Galloping percussive battery and rampaging riffs fuel the insanity, the chant “Bloodspawn!” during the chorus so fearfully addictive it may have you subliminally joining in on the first spin. There are mosh parts a plenty too so when this one gets played live resistance to getting in the pit will be futile. “Rigormortis” features a guitar solo by Kraven Stratfile and finds the band reaching nirvana by mixing early Lamb Of God style groove laden parts with bursts of blast beats. The power and fury of this one is undeniable, the blood curdling scream of Dasgupta that breaks into a majestic yet frantic solo a stunning moment a demonstration of their might.

Referencing German chemist and 1918 Nobel Prize winner Fritz Haber, who invented the Haber-Bosch process which enabled mass fertiliser production while also sewing the seeds of Chemical Warfare “Haberkraft” shows the intelligence of Hymns of Hadean while providing pause for thought long after the headbanging is over. As a track it almost sounds Deicide and Slayer inspired with clanky bass and ripping riffs from the very start, Dasgupta’s vocals as potent and gravelly as ever. At its black beating heart this one has a spellbinding solo to match the energy of the sinister, swirling riffs and as you’d hope, its a record that leaves you wanting more [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. The Hadean Invocation
2. Genocide
3. Cleaver Call
4. Rigormortis (ft. Kraven Stratfile)
5. Haberkraft

“Thanatocracy” by Hymns of Hadean is out 11th September 2026 and is available over at bandcamp