Sometimes the terrible Gods o’ Vile Metal are merciful. They often curtail the most brutal records to a length usually reserved for EPs. But it is for a good cause. Because how would you possibly survive such an onslaught of molten alloy for a full hour or more? So, less is indeed more for once.
And if the offering is juicy enough, we will blatantly ignore the instructions on EPs handed down from management, and just go ahead with a full review. And this here record truly qualifies.
Winds of Tragedy indeed surprised us with a short ‘n’ brutal piece of blackened atmospherics and deathly vibes. At almost 36 minutes of airtime, Hating Life wastes no second waving its dreary colors at a world in turmoil. And it’s not only hard tremolos, ice-cold riffs, and a Doom Death Metal growl that actually has no place in Black Metal. You also get those weeping guitars with far-reaching melodies, ambients, and almost ethereal passages scattered about the soundscape. A touch of metallic desperation in a sea of doom setting in after a while.
And that sounded strangely familiar. I confess, the RMR crew is new to Winds of Tragedy. So, lo and behold, after some research, we found out that this band is another brainchild of one Sergio González Catalán. The same artist that already usurped our full attention on the latest Rise to the Sky piece. So, whilst the style of this record is grim and ferocious at times, it clearly bears the footprint of Catalán‘s more melancholy musings all over it.
But, Hating Life is definitely no copy/paste of yet another project. Some parts do indeed sport some similarities. But this is a dark and darkly ominous piece. Already Living a Lie will pound you into the dust with grim BM vibes and Emidio Alexandre Ramos‘ ferocious and relentless drumming. And contrary to the aforementioned Rise to the Sky, this here record takes a definite deep dive into the fiery pits of pretty traditional Black Metal.
But that’s also where some impurities start. Catalán‘s predominately Death Metal-esque croaks roll in on an even keel without much variation. And this avalanche of ever-similar growls started to wear on us after a while. To a point where the remarkable breaks to ambient and atmospheric passages become almost inaudible. And that’s a real pity. Moreover, the seemingly ever-present mournful guitar contribution would work better on a Celestial Season piece than on Hating Life. Grim and brutal metal and grimy vocals are great ingredients for Black and Death Metal. But adding too many doses of doom into the fray to fire up a depressive atmosphere will lead to some sort of identity crisis. A hybrid that somehow doesn’t know anymore which way to turn.
So, finally, Hating Life may just be a trifle too close to Rise to the Sky for its own good after all. And that’s also true for Winds of Tragedy‘s former concoction As Life Drifts Away. Yet, you’ll still get a great dose of grimy Extreme Metal that will impart its terrible views on you in no uncertain terms. Thunderous, brutal soundscapes, riffs full of ominous atmosphere, and a dystopian look and feel. The record indeed often feels like a blunt, rusty knife scraping across your nerve ends as is its wont. It’s all there – truly and darkly depressive harsh metal. But despite all that, a more barebone brand of vile metal would have been better.
So, Hating Life is a good Extreme Metal record delivering what it promises. But I reckon it won’t age beyond a few more replays over here. Unless we see the light. If there is any left in that bleak darkness, that is.
Record Rating: 6/10 | Label: Tragedy Productions / Meuse Music Records | Web: Facebook (band)
Release Date: 17 February 2023