Bellum Regiis is the new album from Polish black/death metal masters Hate. Forming in 1990, their sound has evolved over their lengthy, productive career. This is their thirteenth full-length and it sees the unrelenting quartet forging a bolder and more aggressive style than ever.
Hell, the opener (and title track) is the sonic version of that opening great white attack in the unforgettable movie Jaws. The sense of dread washes over you, then next thing you know you’re borne aloft, a tasty morsel in its razor-sharp teeth, grinding your bones to powder. This continues with “Iphigenia” and “The Vanguard” before “A Ghost Of Lost Delight” comes in like the torpedoes of a naval submarine. Before you can react, your sonic hull is breached and you’re taking on water like the USS Indianapolis!
“Perun Rising” was a personal favorite from the first listen. Nar-Sil (drums) and Tiermes (bass) maintain the backbone duties for the group, setting a grinding tempo that is equal parts sinister and bloodthirsty, while the ATF Sinner on rhythm/acoustic guitars and vocals plus lead guitarist Domin as the axe duo comes in to pulverize you with “Prophet of Arkhen” until your bones are powder. Another winner for sure!
This continues again with “Alfa Inferi Goddess Of War” before closer “Ageless Harp Of Devilry” makes you just throw your hands up in defeat at the sonic ass-kicking you’ve been on the receiving end of. With Bellum Regiis Hate has given us a great record that is as evil as it is brutalizing – another blitzkrieg that will shatter many souls.
Standout Tracks: “Perun Rising”, “Prophet of Arkhen”, “Alfa Inferi Goddess Of War”, “Bellum Regiis”.