This Danish bunch originally started out as NECROSIS back in 1992 and recorded three demos before they decided to change their name into HATESPHERE in 1998. According to their info sheet they were already receiving an incredible response after the release of their second demo, which even resulted in several contract offers. But the guys turned them all down until they considered themselves musically mature enough (verrrrry good attitude!), which finally seemed to be the case when Italy’s Scarlet Records approached them. HATESPHERE signed with them and the result is their highly energetic and incredibly intense self titled nine song debut full length. And there’s very little to complain about – the musicianship is over the top, the production from ex-INVOCATOR man Jacob Hansen totally crushing and the cover art by Chad Michael Ward (who should be known for his work on releases by NAGLFAR, DARKANE, SOILWORK, CREST OF DARKNESS etc.) absolutely professional. HATESPHERE basically could be considered as Denmark’s answer to the new wave of Swedish Death Metal (THE HAUNTED, CARNAL FORGE, THE FORSAKEN etc.), which means they deliver really aggressive, powerful and straight forward Metal with melodic leads and hateful vocals. I couldn’t really locate the mentioned 80s Bay Area Thrash Metal elements in their songwriting, but some fine SLAYER-esque riffing here and there instead. The biggest problem with these guys (as with all the other acts of this movement) is their lack of own identity. If I would get played a compilation album of fifteen bands of this musical genre, I certainly would be having a tough time to separate them from each other. Apart from that. A cool album.