HATE
Bellum Regiis METAL BLADE
Poland’s blackened death assault force unleash royal thunder
These blackened death veterans prove there’s plenty of life left in them, on a 13th album rich with ideas and scabrous riffs. Drawing from Slavic and Greek myths and histories, Bellum Regiis examines humanity’s hunger for power as Hate dial up the aggression. The Polish four-piece have also enlisted the skills of acclaimed singer Eliza Sacharczuk, and her expressive vocals add an extra layer of drama and gravitas to the thunderous title track and the morose and monstrous, black metal-minded Perun Rising. The grandiose, unfathomably heavy A Ghost Of Lost Delight is a highlight, as is the thrash and NWOBHM-spiced scorcher Alfa Inferi Goddess Of War. A thrilling, sometimes chilling listen, Bellum Regiis reaffirms Hate’s status as extreme metal royalty. ■■■■■■■■■■