Hateform - Hateform
gomek.com - 010 - 2005
By Brandon Strader
Hateform is here with a short 4-song EP that proves to be worthwhile despite the very short length, and don't forget, you can download all these gomek releases for free! They unleash 16 minutes of fast progressions riddled with powerchords and the occasional guitar leads. The sound is somewhat similar to hardcore, and features breakdowns, although they are not used that often. There are no keyboards, and the focus is on the guitar work, which is extremely good at times to make up for the lack of keys. The squealing solos on the opening track, "Dead", are enough proof that these folks have what it takes to carry a guitar-oriented album. Is the vocalist, Petri Nyström related to Anders? Oooh, the mystery.... If he is, he totally shows Anders up with this growling skill!
The growls are pretty low, gutteral, and have a lot of power behind them. The guy can bend his growl pitch into a scream without any hassle, which is very cool. "Warbringer" displays the guitarists showing off their skills with fast leads, whammy-bar raped solos, and tremolo riffs that would make the
In Flames guitarists cry. "Despise" features some cool pinch harmonics, more fast leads, and the vocalist's growls that sound so powerful, it's like the guy was trying to rip his throat out by sheer force. There's some fantastic tapping going on when the solo finally breaks out on this track. Instead of going out peacefully,
Hateform unleash possibly the thrashiest song on this EP with "I Won't Kneel", which is also the longest track clocking in at 4:41. One of the verses here with fast palm-muting sounds magnificent. The production is really impressive on this EP, as if the guys recorded it in and studio and had it professionally produced.
This EP is impressive, and presents all of the qualities of each musician, except perhaps the bass, which doesn't stray from the basic path too much. The explosion of solos near the end of the last track almost brings a tear to the eye, and definitely provokes a headbanging fit and possibly a car accident... caution. "Charging up" the solos with the whammy bar is a really awesome sound and a spectacle to behold.. or I guess, hear. But you don't hear spectacles. You know what I mean.
8/10
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