Album Review: Thy Art Is Murder - 'Hate'

In many respects albums would alleviate all doubt if the title simply matched the tone and intent. ‘Hate’ – perhaps, a gross understatement. Thy Art Is Murder’s new studio album is a malevolent, simply brutal sonic account that cuts through the bullshit and delivers in a crushing manner.

Like their death metal elder statesmen, Thy Art Is Murder embrace the energy, embrace the spiteful and channel it into something truly devastating.

This sophomore album is truly hard to ignore. Not just for its delivery but because it feels (and sounds) right. ‘Hate’ is dark and dynamic instead of monotone and derivative.

A common knock on some death metal music is its tendency to stay within narrow genre confines. You know, adopting the same tempo, the same style and same riffs. It might be good, but if it all sounds the same then what does it all really matter? What’s the point?

Thy Art Is Murder is one band in a domestic context that has all the interest currently. That’s a tick and ensures the interest. The good thing is this doesn’t manifest into complacency on the band’s end.

Beginning with main track ‘Reign of Darkness’ the guttural vocals, the deep guitar lines and solid rhythm section are all here. The punch line underpinning this release is simple: it’s heavy and doesn’t really care for much else.

The tracks border on that deathcore style but at equal times stay true to steady death metal, with Nile-type passages. Tracks such as ‘The Purest Strain of Hate’ and ‘Doomed from Birth’ highlight that this isn’t a PG album. It’s confronting if nothing else.

Occasionally, the album does blend in to itself. Blast beats, double kick, sweeping riffs, it’s something you become accustomed to quickly and can become slightly repetitive. However, as with most decent bands, the moments are merely fleeting.

‘Infinite Forms’ is a fine middle-point and ‘Gates of Misery’ is suitably fast. The subsequent align themselves in a similar fashion, with ‘Defective Breed’ a stand-out.

Feel like punching a wall? Having a shitty day? Whack ‘Hate’ on and let the therapeutic benefits begin. ‘Hate’ is the perfect outlet to let the aggression out. Australian metal’s track record continues.

1. Reign Of Darkness
2. The Purest Strain Of Hate
3. Vile Creations
4. Shadow Of Eternal Sin
5. Immolation
6. Infinite Forms
7. Dead Sun
8. Gates Of Misery
9. Defective Breed
10. Doomed From Birth