Review: “The Unknown Path” by Crucible of Hate

Found wandering in the back woods of Ohio in 2016, Groove Death Monsters Crucible of Hate have have roots stretching back into the 90’s Metal scene. A veteran quartet with members having been part of Black Metal act The Conquering, Thrash crew Skullbomb and Melodic Death Metal outfit The C.O.A.S.T. they have a wealth of experience and a myriad of influences as rich as Royal blood. It has been five long years since their last confession, 2018’s “Dark Metamorphosis” which saw them open shows for Scar Symmetry, Arsis and Immolation to name but a few, making this a long gestating piece…

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Neil Tuuri (Ruins Of Yith, Horseburner, Friends For Sale) at Amish Electric Chair studio in Athens Ohio, the album starts with “March Of Truth“, a cut with has actually been around a while having been played live since at least February 2020. An assault on the senses with harsh vocals from Dan Rivera and pulsating rhythmic drive, it drops off for a moment of respite with a Melodic Death Metal inspired pre-solo and seems to lose a little of its intensity in exchange for that melody before biting back with a face melting solo and vicious final third. Lyrically it portrays the murderous actions of a protagonist in an attempt to free himself and his people from religious tyranny, a perhaps inspired by ancient texts but cleverly not referencing anything that could give it that angle. “Brutal Ascension” then borrows a page from the early 80’s Bay Area Thrash scene for a raging moment as a nation who were at war for decades find peace but are left wondering about the cost. That makes for a lyrical narrative to be revisited after the headbanging is over, the intelligence of it perhaps going unnoticed in the face of the blind riff fury. A little early 90’s Sepultura style kit work users in title track “The Unknown Path“, another lethal dose of pure American Groove Death Metal. Rivera’s caustic vocals don’t hide any of the lyrics and his thoughts of hope for the future by gathering the masses to follow the left hand path from which the song takes its title is refreshing and surprisingly optimistic for the genre.

The Melodic Death Metal leads of “Eradicate The Thorn of Deceit” from Donny Phillips are sublimely melancholic, a few more almost tribal moments from Matt Rivera behind the kit adding something to separate the band from the wolf pack baying for blood. There is a real grit and integrity to “Decimation Of The Flesh“, an exploration of inner strength and the ability to overcome both inner demons and addiction. Whether that comes from personal experience or not, the vocals have a more emotive edge to them with some elongated death growls from Rivera adding fuel to the fire. While each track has plenty of variety to it ensuring that the listener isn’t crushed to death by concrete slab after concrete slab of monolithic Groove Death Metal battery, Crucible of Hate give us a haunting moment of instrumental in “Isolation Of Accountability” that doesn’t break the flow but instead offers something of a palate cleansing moment of clarity. That gives “Fraudulent Existence” an extended introduction and permission to go full throttle, which it does with gusto. A tale about the mundane nature of every day life, it continues the onslaught of 90’s Death Metal nostalgia with vim and vigour, the band in their element and sounding like they’re about to break into a Carcass cover at any moment.

That being said “Temporal Paradox” takes a leaf out of the Pestilence playbook with a playful and sinister set of riffs giving at all the twists and turns of a cheap horror novel, a  bass drive moment is as well executed as someone after the guillotine blade has dropped. Rolling riffs bring on the battery acid nausea of the windmill headbanging after too many shots of your favourite tipple make “Take The Blame” an instant scratch card winner, the solo another classic moment ensuring that the record will stand the test of time with a powerful and dynamic arrangement. Grand finale “Legacy” has a little bit of Metallica about it in the riff department, a ferocious cut that carries a message of personal growth and changing for the better at its bitter black heart. If you’ve after an old school Death Metal record with a decent bit of variety and lyrics that make you pause for thought, then you can’t go wrong with this [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. March of Truth
2. Brutal Ascension
3. The Unknown Path
4. Eradicate The Thorn of Deceit
5. Decimation Of The Flesh
6. Isolation Of Accountability
7. Fraudulent Existence
8. Temporal Paradox
9. Take The Blame
10. Legacy

“The Unknown Path” by Crucible of Hate is out 1st September 2023 and is available over at bandcamp.