Hate Eternal – “I, Monarch”
After a few months of listening to Hate Eternal’s King of All Kings, I enjoyed it more and more every time. I still enjoy it immensely. Now, I, Monarch is here, the band’s third. This band is a treat to watch live because Derek Roddy is an amazing drummer. In addition, I don’t understand how Erik Rutan’s wrists don’t break off with his frenetic guitar playing. I, Monarch just sounds like it will be great to play and watch live, too. The level of technicality, drumming and guitarwise, is just fun to hear. I have no idea how these guys do it. ate Eternal is fun. I know I’m supposed to say that they are evil and brutal. All the creative blasting, the hyperspeed, the total death metal riffing and the growling and the catchiness of it all, yeah, Hate Eternal is fun. What’s cool, too, is the variation in speed, as this is not monotonous at all, and the guitar solos add an extra twist to things. Anyway you approach it, for the total death metal vibe, which is here in full force or for the unmelodic memorability, it’s very good. Is this better than King of All Kings? Right now, I don’t know and I don’t care. Some time will need to pass to answer that. However, I’m once again impressed with the musicality on here; definitely a band to watch and hear. Picky fans of quality death metal will be pleased; for fans of Morbid Angel, Immolation, Nile, Behemoth, etc. Any complaints? I would have liked more and longer guitar solos. More shredding. Also, a clearer drum sound so we can hear better what Derek is doing. I think this band can make a masterpiece one day. Maybe the next one?