Metal Monarch
Hate Eternal is the pet project of former Ripping Corpse/Morbid Angel guitarist Erik Rutan. Already releasing seminal death metal albums like 'Conquering the Throne' and 'King Of All Kings' and notching up tour slots with the likes of Arch Enemy, Hatebreed and Cannibal Corpse; 'I Monarch' is the third release from Rutan's crew with Randy Piro on bass and Derek Roddy on drums.
Recorded in Rutan's Mana Studios in Tampa, Florida, 'I Monarch' has the flavour of old school death, particularly Altars Of Madness-era Morbid Angel. Opener 'Two Demons' is packed with fiery blastbeat drumming and equally monstrous vocals from Erik Rutan. 'The Plague Of Humanity' is something that is so fast and chaotic it is like an apocalyptic headrush to the senses.
This record is highly technical due to Rutan's shredding guitar leads with some unexpected instruments that you'd expect to find on a Soulfly album like a didjeridoo or Tibetan drums lurking amongst the powerful death metal. Closing track 'Faceless One' is almost like classic Morbid Angel facing off against an equally vintage Slayer.
Perhaps the one criticism is the ear-splitting drumming as this can be slightly intimidating to someone unaware of the death metal drummer but as such an essential component it is almost the backbone of the record complementing the technical playing of Rutan.
Although not everyone will get this, 'I Monarch' is a powerful and mind blowing extreme metal record and is about as straight up death metal as you can get without it leaning into any melodies. This is pure, focused and raw aggression processed into audio dynamite and certainly highlights Hate Eternal as purveyors of extreme metal that can really push the boundaries of human sanity.