UMUR
"Murderlust" is the 8th full-length studio album by Danish thrash metal act Hatesphere. The album was released through Massacre Records in September 2013. It´s the successor to "The Great Bludgeoning (2011)" and features the same lineup that recorded the predecessor. There have been quite a few lineup changes throughout the history of the band, so it´s great to see that Hatesphere now appear to have found a stabile lineup.
It would be wrong to state that it has any impact on the level of musicianship on "Murderlust", because Hatesphere have always, in any shape or form, been a very well playing act and continue to be so on this album. These guys have delivered relentlessly aggressive thrash metal with a few nods toward death metal since their inception in 1998 and little has changed. We´re still treated to some well played thrash metal with an aggressive and occasionally semi-growling vocalist in front. Slayer is the main influence here, but the instrumental "In Process", which features layered harmoni guitars will probably have most listeners thinking of eighties Metallica. It´s actually quite the great breather track and it´s placed nicely in the middle of the album. While "Murderlust" features quite a few old school US thrash metal trademarks, it´s predominantly acts like The Haunted and Dew-Scented that they should be associated with.
The sound production is powerful and raw and suits the music well. "Murderlust" is in every way another great album by Hatesphere and while they will never be the most original or distinct sounding act on the scene, they always deliver their music with passion and conviction. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.