Total Hate?s Depopulating Planet Earth delivers a raw, unrelenting black metal experience steeped in the traditions of the genre?s second wave, yet manages to inject fresh energy into the formula. From the moment "Humanity Banished" kicks in with its sharp riffs and pounding drums, you can feel the band?s commitment to delivering a sonic onslaught. The intensity is palpable, and while the track has a chaotic edge, the placement of the vocals is precise, avoiding the all-too-common pitfall of monotony in black metal vocal delivery.
Tracks like "Essence of Evil" showcase the band's ability to slow things down without sacrificing impact. Here, you can hear echoes of black metal pioneers like Mayhem, with a cold, brooding atmosphere that draws you in. The combination of blistering guitar work and well-timed, menacing vocals creates a soundscape perfect for cold winter nights. There's a timeless quality to this track that will surely resonate with fans of old-school black metal.
"Decapitation (of Jesus Christ)" adds an ambient intro that quickly gives way to pure, blasphemous fury. The track?s heaviness feels authentic, and the band?s tight instrumentation only heightens the intensity of the anti-religious themes. It?s a perfect example of how Total Hate takes a well-worn black metal blueprint and adds their own unique edge.
As the album progresses, songs like "Chapel in Flames" and "Depopulating Planet Earth" maintain the cold, ruthless energy while still allowing for standout moments of creativity. The riffs are razor-sharp, the drums unrelenting, and the vocals full of raw emotion. The title track, in particular, stands out as the album?s war cry, with its relentless pace and unapologetic aggression. By the time you reach "Total Hate," the sheer brutality of the music is undeniable?this track feels like the culmination of all the hate and chaos the band seeks to project.
The closer, "Invocation of the Fallen Angel," ties everything together with a driving rhythm and standout guitar work that calls to mind classic black metal while still feeling fresh. The album as a whole stays true to its roots, never straying far from the raw black metal sound that fans love, but it's executed with a level of proficiency that suggests the band has a lot more to offer.
Depopulating Planet Earth may not be a complete reinvention of the genre, but it?s a fierce, well-crafted album that stands tall in a crowded field. Total Hate?s dedication to the traditional elements of black metal, combined with their ability to inject just enough originality, makes this album a must-listen for fans of the raw, uncompromising side of the genre.
