The new (third) MY DARKEST HATE album “At War“ to me sounds like the Death Metal variant of RAZOR’s “Decibels” CD. The songs are based on few, but all the more intense riff attacks. Would there not be the brutal, but well understandable voice of front bear Chris one could even talk about purebred Thrash Metal.

The album never gets really fast, but the music still definitely is hefty. And very catchy as well. It is very clear that the band contains 80s Metal maniacs, so the opening riff of “I Am At War“ reminds me of SAMAEL on “Ceremony Of Opposites“, while the cow flies on other places. Strange, the more often I listen to this album, the more it reminds me of SAMAEL. Not that the band would shamelessly copy the Swissmen, oh no, there are a lot worse bands one could get compared to.

So the often used comparison with BOLT THROWER and SIX FEET UNDER does not make much sense to me. Sure, the riffs crush the forest in a mile wide radius and as said, the music doesn’t really get fast. And progressiveness is unknown to the band as well. Fully onto the 12 and off we go. The way it is supposed to be.

One has to hear the whole album, but especially the breaker “Voyeur” (no VENOM cover!). The song has everything a classic needs. Death/Thrash Metal fans, what are you still waiting for? (Online June 7, 2004)