Band: Hate Eternal
Title: Phoenix Amongst The Ashes
Label: Metal Blade Records
Distribution: PIAS
Release date: May 9th 2011
Review: CD

Hate Eternal are the main project of Erik Rutan, formerly involved with impressive acts like Morbid Angel, Ripping Corpse and Alas, and co-owner of the famous Mana Recording Studio, where he works behind the knob-desk with bands like Paths Of Possession, Sweden’s Aeon, Cannibal Corpse, Malevolent Creation, The Funeral Pyre, Nile and lots of others. The guy once had been selected as one of the best (Death) Metal guitar players on our stinking and filthy globe, and the band was voted as one of the most influential and prominent bands of the past decade.
Phoenix Amongst The Ashes, done by Erik and two newly recruited musicians, Jade Simonetto (d; active with Erik since a few years, to be more specific) and J.J. Hrubovcak (b), goes on in the vein of 2008’s Fury & Flames, which was slightly, very slightly differing (more diverse and emotional) from the three former full lengths. It combines the heaviest extremes of Death Metal with well-balanced dissonance and creative invention, experienced craftsmanship and undeniable persuasion. Hate Eternal have always been one of the most intense and technically skilled bands from the USDM-scene, and it still is enormously impressing how this band combines Fingerspitzengefühl with rough bruteness.
It’s an easy decision to make. In case you could appreciate the former album(s), you will adore this one too; if not, then… (self-censorship…)…

80/100

Ivan Tibos.