Grave Altar – Shrines of Hatred Review

The moment the listener hits play, they are enveloped by the chilling soundscape of the opening track, Into, which sets a horrifying tone. This is swiftly followed by the second track, Abyssal Tomb, which assaults the senses with an unrelenting wave of aggressive instrumentals and vocals! As the journey unfolds with the third track, Black Wings of Wrath, and the remaining five pieces, the listener is treated to not just extreme music, but a dark and potent experience that resonates deeply.

Grave Altar’s Shrines of Hatred delivers a relentless thirty-minute journey of headbanging chaos, divided into seven tracks that will obliterate both your mind and spirit. This album offers an unrefined sound that is expertly crafted in a contemporary production style, yet it retains an unpolished, gritty essence that embodies the true underground spirit. What more could you possibly desire?

Grave Altar’s Shrines of Hatred embodies the raw, savage spirit of Norwegian thrash/black metal as exemplified by Deathhammer, while also channelling the furious, high-octane energy of UK thrash legends Venom. Additionally, depending on the listener’s perspective, there’s a trace of that gritty, heavy rock ‘n’ roll vibe reminiscent of Motörhead, especially evident in certain drum patterns, and there is a musical palette of Celtic Frost thrown in for good measure.

Emerging from a primal soundscape, this trio unleashes a tantalizing fruit of art devilmanship rebellion, thrusting their instrumental prowess right into the listener’s face. The moment the play button is pressed, a raw, fast, and violent energy surges forth, enveloping the listener in a dynamic and engaging auditory experience. Their music is a visceral journey, characterized by an aggressive heaviness that is both captivating and relentless, drawing listeners into a world where every note feels charged with intensity. At the same time, don’t expect any mercy, this is a deadly Black/Thrash attack from start to finish, each track rips through your soul, delivering to the listener to an old school metal mayhem! Yes, sometimes it slows down through some fruit of art-dark riffs, but only to throw you back into the hellish mayhem!

Grave Altar embraces a production style that is both gritty and unrefined, perfectly aligning with their extreme metal aesthetic. The band adopts a do-it-yourself philosophy, managing every facet of recording, mixing, and mastering on their own. This hands-on technique grants them total creative freedom, ensuring their music exudes a genuine, rough-edged vibe. Shrines of Hatred, exemplifies this philosophy, featuring a production that highlights the raw power and ferocity of their sound. Each instrument is perfectly balanced within the mix, allowing every component to stand out while still creating a unified and impactful auditory experience.

Krow’s killer guitar work stands out with its gritty, distorted and dark riffs that are not only heavy but also laced with a subtle blackened groove, creating an intricate tapestry of sound. Each solo is a testament to the devilmanship on display, weaving complexity into the fabric of their compositions.  At the same time, Krow provides that vocals, that play a crucial role in this sonic assault, blending harsh growls with haunting screams to forge a striking contrast that amplifies the music’s atmosphere. The versatility in switching between styles contributes to the band’s distinctive identity, making each track a unique exploration of sound.

Fiend‘s solid drumming carefully executed with fast, solid and galloping drums, and blistering blast beats. Which are a force of nature, delivering powerful rhythms that serve as the backbone of the band’s sound, adding layers of depth, enhancing the overall listening experience. Furthermore, Maniac‘s gritty bass riffs add a rabid quality, contributing to the overall dark and diabolical atmosphere of the music. Together, the instrumental and vocal elements coalesce into a hellish fire of extreme metal, evoking the raw, untamed spirit of the 1980s while pushing the boundaries of the genre into new territories.

If you have a passion for extreme metal, you should definitely give Grave Altar a listen. Grave Altar brings a unique intensity that is sure to captivate any enthusiast of the genre. Their sound is a powerful blend of aggression and artistry, making them a standout choice for those seeking something fresh and exhilarating in the extreme metal scene.

The album concludes with the final track, Rites of Mayhem, and still refusing to let go of the listener, with its sheer attack music. We want to give a shoutout to Vicious Witch Records for letting us review Grave Altar and their album Shrines of Hatred. Now, we are going to conclude the review by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.