Shade Of Hatred
Formed in 2011, Shade Of Hatred is a melodic death metal band from De Bilt over in Holland. This 5 piece recently dropped us a line about their recent demo, Thanatus, to see what we thought about things, and being the ever helpful people we are, we of course agreed! Having heard some damned fine stuff coming from their direction, I was looking forward to seeing what was on offer!
Opening with title track Thanatus there’s one thing clear from the off, we’re dealing with a band that means business. Rolling drums pound around in the background as solid guitar riff above them, all backed up by a bassline which roves around the neck like a lunatic. As if to fully cap things off, soon we’re greeted by guttural roaring vocals, the mix taking a turn for the dark side whilst still managing to keep a sense of melody running through things. The chorus is the key for me on this track, offering up the sort of thing which is going to get pits moving, people throwing down and live venues running for their lives. As if to compound the sheer power, a few breakdowns are thrown in here and there, just to make sure you’re still listening and paying attention to what’s going on, all the time keeping a melodic focus moving through things with a guitar solo and more of that roving bass…it’s a great start to an EP!
Moving on to Transentience the upbeat and heavy approach continues once again, the mix forming a sound which lures you in and straight away gets you moving. Once again throwing us straight back into circle pit territory, this is the sort of music which is tailor made for the live scene, sounding a little out of place on a recording as the energy of the band isn’t there to back it all up. Having said that, once again we’ve got a demonstration of just how able these guys are, somehow combining insanely heavy moments which other moments which will stop you in your tracks and question whether it’s still the same track. He Deceit continues this approach of combining different styles into their music, this time throwing straight down with a Dark Tranquillity style opening which is surely going to get live crowds pumping. Fast and in your face from start to finish, this is another track which makes me think that this is a band which is going to be more at home on the live scene, there’s just something about their sound which seems call out to a stage.
Closing the EP with Last March the band have one final ace up their sleeve, closing with a track which seems to combine the intricacies of Maiden with the pummelling approach of Dark Tranquillity or Arch Enemy (musically), combining a low roar with the backing music to form another heavy, yet somehow funky approach. The final track on this EP does one thing for sure, leaves you wanting more as simply – 4 tracks doesn’t seem enough!
I like the approach that Shade Of Hatred have gone for, and with some work I could see these guys doing well! I think there needs to be more variation at times within the tracks, but as a whole that’s a minor comment when you hear the calibre of the music which is being looked at here. Definitely a band I’ll look forward to hearing the album from!
To find out more about Shade Of Hatred, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with title track Thanatus there’s one thing clear from the off, we’re dealing with a band that means business. Rolling drums pound around in the background as solid guitar riff above them, all backed up by a bassline which roves around the neck like a lunatic. As if to fully cap things off, soon we’re greeted by guttural roaring vocals, the mix taking a turn for the dark side whilst still managing to keep a sense of melody running through things. The chorus is the key for me on this track, offering up the sort of thing which is going to get pits moving, people throwing down and live venues running for their lives. As if to compound the sheer power, a few breakdowns are thrown in here and there, just to make sure you’re still listening and paying attention to what’s going on, all the time keeping a melodic focus moving through things with a guitar solo and more of that roving bass…it’s a great start to an EP!
Moving on to Transentience the upbeat and heavy approach continues once again, the mix forming a sound which lures you in and straight away gets you moving. Once again throwing us straight back into circle pit territory, this is the sort of music which is tailor made for the live scene, sounding a little out of place on a recording as the energy of the band isn’t there to back it all up. Having said that, once again we’ve got a demonstration of just how able these guys are, somehow combining insanely heavy moments which other moments which will stop you in your tracks and question whether it’s still the same track. He Deceit continues this approach of combining different styles into their music, this time throwing straight down with a Dark Tranquillity style opening which is surely going to get live crowds pumping. Fast and in your face from start to finish, this is another track which makes me think that this is a band which is going to be more at home on the live scene, there’s just something about their sound which seems call out to a stage.
Closing the EP with Last March the band have one final ace up their sleeve, closing with a track which seems to combine the intricacies of Maiden with the pummelling approach of Dark Tranquillity or Arch Enemy (musically), combining a low roar with the backing music to form another heavy, yet somehow funky approach. The final track on this EP does one thing for sure, leaves you wanting more as simply – 4 tracks doesn’t seem enough!
I like the approach that Shade Of Hatred have gone for, and with some work I could see these guys doing well! I think there needs to be more variation at times within the tracks, but as a whole that’s a minor comment when you hear the calibre of the music which is being looked at here. Definitely a band I’ll look forward to hearing the album from!
To find out more about Shade Of Hatred, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
