Label: Vicious Witch Records
Genre: Black Thrash Metal
Length: 37:16
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Today I wanted to write about Shrines of Hatred, the second album by English band Grave Altar. Released earlier this year via Vicious Witch Records, the album is available digitally and on limited edition CD. Grave Altar, formed in 2015, had already shown its potential with Morbid Spell in 2019. With this new opus, the band continue their exploration of intense, raw, uncompromising black/thrash metal. Right from the evocative introduction, the album sets a dark mood before launching into a frenetic thrash, where cutting guitars and striking drums combine with aggressive, inhabited vocals. The imperfections of the production and mixing in no way detract from the experience, quite the opposite in fact; they reinforce the old-school feel, true to the spirit of the original thrash black metal.
Shrines of Hatred featuring 8 tracks, totalling 37 minutes and 16 seconds. The record stands out for its devastating energy, punctuated by tempo changes that add variety and tension. Some tracks, like Abysmal Tomb, even flirt with death metal elements, reinforcing the band's identity between black, death and thrash. This fusion of genres is done with coherence, each element intertwining to create a sonic experience as rich as it is brutal.
There are some standouts moments throughout the album. On Black Wings of Wrath, the rhythmic transition at 34 seconds is striking, offering a surprising and exhilarating dynamic. The track Death, meanwhile, ends with a poignant scream followed by an evil laugh, a theatrical touch that can't go unnoticed. And what about Baptized in Hellfire? This track instantly reminded me of Possessed's legendary Seven Churches album, thanks to the instrumental acceleration that exudes uncontrollable fury.
My favourite tracks deserve a special mention. Black Wings of Wrath is a real demonstration of force, its frantic pace and powerful vocals making it one of the album's high points. Death stands out for its ferocious energy and masterfully placed tempo changes, with frenetic drumming peaking at 2 minutes and 33 seconds. Finally, Angel Crypt captivated me with its relentless, uncompromising songwriting and remarkably intense vocals. Each track on the album has its own identity, but these tracks in particular embody the essence of Shrines of Hatred, in my opinion.
This visceral, authentic album doesn't try to polish its edges to appeal to a wide audience, but speaks directly to extreme metal worshippers. Raw, intense and visceral, it captures the very essence of the genre with raw energy and palpable passion.