Resonance - Thumos - Hate
- Sparky
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
Thumos - The Trial of Socrates 9/10
The Trial of Socrates (399 BC) was held to determine the philosopher's guilt of two charges: asebeia (impiety) against the pantheon of Athens, and corruption of the youth of the city-state. An event of such Importance can only be measured by the new double album from the entity known only as Thumos
Sixteen tracks at 105 minutes and not a single note is wasted. Thumos create such grandiose soundscapes that are expressive, rich in texture and purpose. The Trial of Socrates is an album that you get lost in, its length so deceptive as you traverse the musical prowess and the recreation musically of such a subject. No Words are spoken or needed. The power of “The Gorgias” and its movement speaks for itself. It is such a deep and profound musical examination that is presented in equal parts of intellect and raw power. Every chapter is unique and expressive from frenzied tremolo to unnerving dissonance and ever evolving drums patterns that move rhythmically to create such sonic articulately heavy individual pieces of art that coalesce into a unified whole.‘’ The Euthyphro’’ is a majestic display of power and subtlety, its guitar a soaring ever present feature and ‘’The Crito” is its sonic partner encapsulating the power of conversation without requiring it. ‘’The Gorgias’’, ‘’The Sophist’’ and the sheer weight and power of ‘’The Cratylus’’ are more examples of where instrumental creativity meets history seamlessly.
The Trial of Socrates is an album full of wondrous moments some uplifting, others dark and haunting. It is a musical experience unlike any other. An instrumental achievement that takes doom – post metal and sheer heavy power to create an instrumental piece of thought-provoking art that is fully immersive and creative individually creative. Superb
Hate – Bellum Regiis 8/10
From 1990 and their debut in 1996′s Daemon Qui Fecit Terra, Poland’s Hate have been a dominant force within the underground creating the epitome of uncompromising blackened death metal that rages with its own infernal majesty. Bellum Regiis is album number thirteen, and it continues their record of excellent releases
Bellum Regiis (War of Kings) is another strong and powerful record that is pure Hate, but where you expect blinding speed, you get a bludgeoning warlike march that is ominous and inexorable yet still makes full use of the talents of the formidable Daniel "Nar-Sil" Rutkowski on percussion. Instantly recognizable as Hate and those vocals of Adam "ATF Sinner" Buszko, yet there has been a metamorphosis since their previous release Rugia. Not just vocally, Bellum Regiis feels heavier (if that were possible) and more epic, every moment is well thought out and designed in advance, the riffs are razor sharp and precise and the sheer quantity and magnitude of them keep the album deeply rooted in both a sense of grandeur and loss. The general theme of struggle and power is tangible within the nine tracks ‘The Vanguard’,’Iphigenia’, ‘Alfa Inferi Goddess of War’, and ‘A Ghost of Lost Delight’ are highlights of a record that is not just full of the trademark fury that Hate delivers but hidden nuances and subtleties that imbue the album with a depth that creates an atmosphere and intent that in undeniable.
Bellum Regiis adds some of the textures back into a sound that is so lean and refined that you await the next huge riff to bludgeon you before the next one rolls in. Hate defines the term uncompromising, and the sheer intensity of their music deserves to be explored at the deepest level. Bellum Regiis is a dark brooding malevolent force of nature, and their music is blackened death metal excellence that explores history comparable to current times. Highly recommended.