Album Review: Hate – Bellum Regiis (Metal Blade Records)

Unlucky for some, thirteen is the magic number for Hate, as they unleash their brand-new, and thirteenth, studio album, ‘Bellum Regiis’. Out on May 2nd, 2025, via Metal Blade Records.

An incredible thirty-five years after forming, Hate continuing to set trends and evolve their sound. Setting a new bar for themselves with Bellum Regiis and the world of blackened death metal in general. All because this record has nuances, and with that comes a more dynamic style. Hate sound supremely comfortable in their skins and that breeds confidence.

Beginning in dramatic fashion as the title track shows off morose atmosphere and clean female vocals (Eliza Sacharczuk), the record immediately screams the word ‘big’. It might be intrinsically based in the worlds of black and death, but it is not defined by those genres and all the proof is here in this one song. Especially as it transforms into such a blackened beast, one with layers of melancholy and intensity.

The relentless gloom of the album continues to pour out of Hate in remarkable fashion with the imposing Iphigenia, a meatier and measured blast of heavy, and the daringly cinematic (horror-esqe) sound of The Vanguard. It’s epic track after epic track, and the sound of a band inspired. It really can’t be stated enough that with this album, Hate redefine themselves and the extreme aspects that they are so well known for. It’s not them getting ‘lighter’ or ‘softer’, it’s just a much more focused style of blackened death carnage.

Hence why several tracks in a row, all ing the six minute mark, can be so attention-grabbing, especially when the first half of the album culminates with something as eye-opening as A Ghost of Lost Delight. This track, good gods, is special as Hate really dig down into the dark underbelly of the hellish corner they exist in and drag out a slice of extreme heaven. Imaginatively powerful, with complex detail, and thick with black atmosphere, it leaves an unforgettable impression.

Smartly, Hate change up the formula from this point on and begin the second half of the album with a short piece of atmospheric discomfort called Rite of Triglav. Before unleashing a more potent blast of blackened ruthlessness with Perun Rising (garish riffs and pounding drums) and showcasing even more of that modernised flair with the imposing Alfa Inferi Goddess of War. Alongside Prophet of Arkhen and Ageless Harp of Devilry, it’s a fantastic latter half, with just as much power and focus as before, albeit in shorter form.

Only in our wildest dreams, or nightmares, could Hate have come up with an album as good as this. The masters are back and, once again, lead the way for all others in the blackened death metal world.

Hate – Bellum Regiis Track Listing:

1. Bellum Regiis
2. Iphigenia
3. The Vanguard
4. A Ghost of Lost Delight
5. Rite of Triglav
6. Perun Rising
7. Alfa Inferi Goddess of War
8. Prophet of Arkhen
9. Ageless Harp of Devilry

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | X