When’s the last time you listened to an album, and it completely knocked you on your ass? For me it was a few hours ago while sensibly driving around in my Volvo. Not to worry, no Swedish automobiles were harmed while repeatedly listening to Hath’s All That Was Promised (Willowtip). Well, maybe I punched the passenger seat once ‘The Million Violations’ swung into full gear with volleys of blast beats and guitar trickery. What’s a little cosmetic damage?  

I’ll openly admit I wasn’t familiar with Hath’s past work hence with each passing song the more I resembled that Vince McMahon meme. ‘Kenosis’ quickly spells out that this isn’t your run of the mill Death Metal band that opens local festivals. This New Jersey unit is going for that gourmet shit. It’s death metal for fans of Black Crown Initiate, Behemoth or vintage Opeth. Oh, and they also toss in a sprinkling of Black Metal tremolo and ambiance because why not combine two great tastes that taste great together.

In an album chock full of standout moments, ‘Iosis’ makes a serious case for A.J. Viana and his relentless percussion are the most valued performances. Don’t get me wrong as Frank Albanese and Peter Brown also put in a hell of a shift with some finger cramping solos, but not only is Viana the busiest drummer since Igor Cavalera but it turns out he also engineered and mixed the damn album. And that is worth mentioning as All That Was Promised never feels overproduced or anemic. Nobody tramples anyone else in the mix and there’s the right amount of low end. So, what I’m saying is Viana can take it back a few notches. Nobody likes a showoff.

Well, now that I’m thinking about the title track and how Viana works right in the pocket with bassist Greg Nottis, he can go as hard as he likes. Or better yet let everyone go off the leash like in ‘Name Them Yet Build No Monument’ which evokes some more sophisticated sounds like Gorguts and Cynic before rattling off the double kicks and riffs like if it was Dying Fetus. 

More like All That Was Promised and then some. 

Preorder via Bandcamp https://bit.ly/hath-promised-bandcamp

Preorder via Willowtip https://bit.ly/hath-promised-willowtip

9 / 10

HANS LOPEZ