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HateSphere: a quintet of Danes who personify male angst's lethal aggression. Blurring the lines between thrash and death metal, the band refines thundering drum tracks, dual-guitar leads, melodic death growls, and singular doomy moments to a fine distillation. Like jet fuel, Ballet Of The Brute is at once powerful and explosive. Recorded at Jailhouse Studios (Pretty Maids, TNT) with producer Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Gamma Ray), the result is crushing. Herein the band introduces two new members: rock-solid guitarist Henrik Jacobsen and formidable drummer Ander Gyldenøhr. Already slated to tour Europe three times in the summer of 2004, including an appearance at Germany's Summer Breeze Festival, worldwide devastation is sure to follow.
The band began as Cauterized and later changed the name to Necrosis before settling on HateSphere. The addition of guitarist Ziggy and bassist Mikael Ehlert Hansen solidified the band, and the recording of a self-titled release for the now-defunct Serious Entertainment ensued. When Serious went under, Scarlet noted HateSphere's talent and re-released the debut. With international acclaim already pouring in, HateSphere was then released on Soundholic in Japan to even more rave reviews. With one successful release under the bands belt, HateSphere recorded follow-up album Bloodred Hatred at Jailhouse Studios again with producer Tommy Hansen. The incredible result quickly caught Century Media's attention, and the resulting U.S. license began an American conversion. The band unleashed a full-throttle European demolition in 2003, touring with The Haunted and Mastodon.
Ballet Of The Brute opens with the sudden impact of "The Beginning And The End," gracefully riffing its way between melody and violence. Sharp twists, rapid changes and fluid gear-shiftings make "Deathtrip" a lesson in monumental ferociousness. Both songs lead up to "Vermin," markedly more melodic with notable choruses and hooks, yet still unrelentingly vicious. Drummer Ander Gylanøhr drives the band with his unflagging fury, giving the twin-guitar attack of Hansen and Jacobsen a firm base from which to launch their merciless assault. "What I See I Despise" is an illustration in controlled rage, with feral vocals and massive guitar work climaxing in a melodic solo reminiscent of Arch Enemy's Michael Amott. With devastating effect, HateSphere drops "Warhead" near the end to finish off anyone previously left standing. Fans of Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquillity and The Forsaken will revel in the belligerence-laden strains that reverberate through every moment of Ballet Of The Brute.
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