The Spirit Driven by Hate

Not only is this a solid debut full-length album, ‘The Spirit Driven by Hate’ is one of the best death/thrash albums to be released from Japan. Despite the huge metal scene in Japan, few acts get any real exposure in the West. This is one of many albums that deserve our attention.

The album opens with the chilling intro ‘Apparition’, and then erupts into a thrilling onslaught of metal. Brutal from start to finish, 'The Spirit Driven by Hate' is also technically superb. The quintet from Tokyo has found a near perfect blend of death and thrash metal, full of well used blast beats. Bereaved plays its own take on extreme Teutonic-style thrash, with a modern twist. The fast, intense thrash riffing is layered with Gothenburg melodies and some impressive solos. Void of any repetitive, chugging songs (like Slayer surround their two or three good songs with on every album), most of the tracks are 5-6 minutes long, but never drag. Leo Wakiya displays solid, although for the most part unspectacular, death metal drumming with plenty of good fills to keep it interesting.

Japanese vocalists sometimes get a lot of criticism, because of the unusual accent when they sing in English. In the case of Bereaved, if you are only used to European/American death growls, Tetsu Haramura’s deep, rasping vocals may take a bit of getting used to. Although at times the vocals are reminiscent of metalcore, they really fit the music well and I found that they grew on me with every song.

If you like death/thrash, you should get this album now!

(Originally posted at http://liferthereviewroom.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/bereaved-spirit-driven-by-hate.html)

Bereaved uses death metal techniques to kick you in the teeth until you swallow blood, and while you're trying to recover they waste you with a shot gun blast of thrash. Unrelenting, and more importantly, really engaging, you will be impressed by this release. Hailing from japan this is the five piece's first full length international release.

"Eruption of Violence" is just that. Thrashing attack wrapped up in death metal drumming. It grabs your attention like a sledge hammer to the jaw and keeps you banging along with relish. \m/

"Spectral Visitation" has some stellar guitar work, switching between an almost maiden like hyper gallop and a Sepultura thrash crunch. I can almost hear a bit of gothenburg via the United States metalcore, ala Darkest Hour, near the end. Not to mention one sick solo. Being able to smash that many influences in one song and then pull it off gives you the idea of the diversity and fun you'll have listening to this Album.

"Our Time Apart". Wow. This track just melts my face. A wall of thrashing force and downbeat melody.

"Unquenchable Thirst" doesn't let up the fusillade, throwing in some slayer meets grind drum work with riffs that would make Anders Björler proud.

"Redemption through pain" has a thick killer rhythm enhanced by Tetsu Haramura almost horse voice yell. Slamming.

"Your Agony's Birth" sounds a lot like a "best of" slayer medley track, and there ain't nothing wrong with that, considering it's better than anything slayer has released in the last ten years. It's not a rip-off though, as Bereaved stamps their own brand of harmony and style into each riff.

By the eigth track, "Captive Body, Captive soul" you would think things would start to get boring or perhaps the song writing quality would drop off. You would be very wrong. The solo and break down at three minutes in is worth the trip alone, showing that Bereaved really knows how to incorporate some more traditional metal elements.

"The Storm Master" starts off with some up the irons thrash and mixes in a really fresh off-beat drumming sound. Soaring guitar and a bit of finger pointing please!

"Wake with the Moon" explodes with blast beats and a driving bass riff. Blender mixing guitar paired with double bass power, only to drop into a head banging mid tempo rocker. Is there anything this band can't pull off?

"Enigma of the Crone" finishes you off with style. With song quality like this on the last track you know you have something special. A lot of bands would kill to have a strong this song to open with.


I know I'm gushing a bit, but this band is truely amazing. At the heart it's really just gothenburg metal, but with a spirit and intensity that most bands in Europe (or bands in America copying those bands) sorely lack. You can hear a lot of thrash and death metal influences all over, wrapped up with some traditional styled solos to push you over the edge. Each song is at least five minutes, but you never get bored once, or want to skip a track. Fuck Yes.