THE PROJECT HATE MCMXCIX
"Hate,
Dominate, Congregate, Eliminate" (Candlelight USA/Threeman; 2004)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Featuring current members of Entombed, Dark Funeral, and 2 Ton Predator, the swirling blasphemy machine called The Project Hate MCMXCIX has unleashed "Hate, Dominate, Congregate, Eliminate" upon the world. I am now aware that "Hate, Dominate, Congregate, Eliminate" is the band's fourth album, but I've managed to miss the first three discs (not to mention the fact that I was unaware of the band until this CD landed in my hands for review).
The Project Hate (let's simplify things, yes?) is a boiling cauldron of mid-paced, groove-laden death metal smashed and kicked around with healthy doses of techno and gothic overtones. What I hear on "Hate, Dominate, Congregate, Eliminate" is what one might get if they threw black metal's basic sounds, the techno-leanings of Samael, the inspired Gothic sounds of Moonspell, and the epic songwriting of Opeth into a blender. Additionally, the album takes its title from the odd numbered tracks, but there is nothing really odd about that; the titles of the remaining four songs are "Nailed," "Deviate," "Burn," and "Weep" - which really doesn't have a ring to it.
The album finds its balance from alternating the staccato crunch/growled vocals sections married up with the sustained chords/female vocals. The eight songs slide into formulaic malaise every now and then (within itself, not compared to other bands), but overall the songwriting is always forward thinking and damn near progressive at times without coming across like prog-metal wankery. The use of many male vocalists lends a very story-telling like angle to this nearly 70-minute album and that alone is a standout reason that should keep the listener engaged throughout the disc.
The length of the songs and album's overall length is a bit oppressive, but you'd have to believe the band wanted it that way. It appears the band composed their songs in the way that most bands concerned with writing epics go about their business. By composing their songs with one cool riff after another and one cool section after another that the band was striving for maximum impact. "Hate, Dominate, Congregate, Eliminate" succeeds on that count with a flair for the dramatic.
"Hate, Dominate, Congregate, Eliminate" is a very impressive effort. From what is essentially a side project from participants from pretty well known bands it appears that The Project Hate can make a name for themselves without relying on each band member's past glories.
"Hate, Dominate, Congregate, Eliminate" was produced by Lord K. Philipson with assistance from Petter S. Freed and Mieszko A. Talarczyk (Nasum).
The Project Hate MCMXCIX is Lord K. Philipson (Dark Funeral) on guitars, bass, keyboards, programming, and backing vocals, Jorgen Sandstrom (Entombed, Grave) on bass and lead vocals, Petter S. Freed (2 Ton Predator) on guitars and backing vocals, and Jo Enckell on vocals. Backing vocals provided by Emperor Magus Caligula (Dark Funeral), Mogge Lundin (2 Ton Predator), and Rickard Alriksson (Genocide Superstars).
For more information visit http://theprojecthate.net.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2004 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 11 Nov 2024 11:53:40 -0500.
