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Review: Anata - The Infernal Depths of Hatred
Anata
www.anata.se
The Infernal Depths of Hatred

Label: Season of Mist
Year released: 1998
Duration: 42:14
Tracks: 8
Genre: Death Metal

Rating:
4.5/5


Review online: October 25, 2006
Reviewed by: Lars Christiansen
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 3.83/5 (76.67%) (6 Votes)
Review

I came across this CD entirely by accident a few years ago. It was sent to me mistakenly by a mail order CD company, who should've been sending me a CD by Anaal Nathrakh. As it wasn't in its cellophane, and was in my possession, I thought it wouldn't hurt at all to check it out before I sent it back to them to claim my original order…

Needless to say, I didn't send it back after listening to it that day. It really is an impressive piece of work! I have since checked out their other three albums and their split with Bethzaida, and in my opinion, this is the best of the lot. It reminds me of very best bits of At the Gates sound wise, although not so much to be a exact xerox replica of the band, as they also incorporate early Morbid Angel styled riffs into their sound (which is another bonus in my eyes). The production is clear and dry, rather than shiny and overproduced so it still has a slight 'underground' atmosphere to it.

The guitar-work is exemplary and is very much in the melodic death metal vein most of the time. It has several overdubbed chorus lines ala first In Flames album, only on this album the songs are much more brutal than In Flames ever were, owing to the Morbid Angel influences rather than folk music. It doesn't ever sound Maiden-esque at all however, and although they are a Swedish band, it would be unfair to say they are part of the whole 'Gothenburg' thing, as they definitely have a sound and overall demeanor which is a lot better than any of that crap.

The drum-work is also of a fair technical standard, although it doesn't really stand out from any other type of band from this field of music, and there aren't any beats that are out of the ordinary found anywhere on the album. The vocals are the most At the Gates styled after the guitar-work, sounding very dry, raspy and harsh - very much like Tomas Lindberg.

The only thing that stopped me from giving this a higher rating was the fact that is isn't a classic in my opinion. It has its moments in a few tracks, but as an album it lacks edge, especially towards the second half of it. However, if they had released the track 'Vast Lands / Infernal Gates' as a single, it would be a maxed out five mark review in my estimation - an incredible song, perfectly structured and well written, a worthy song on any 'best of Swedish metal' collection...if there ever was one.

More about Anata...
Review: Under A Stone With No Inscription (reviewed by Nahsil)
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