After the fall of the Iron Curtain, the end of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1989, as the 90's were evolving, some Metal names from the countries that became independent (there were bands there, but it was extremely difficult to get some material from them). And Poland became a leading force on Eastern Europe, because names as VADER and BEHEMOTH started to unleash a furious form of music, different from the other countries of the world. And not as known as the previous names, but equally good is the quartet HATE, a master of extreme Blackened Death Metal. And after all these years, they still can deliver such massive onslaught as can be heard on "Rugia", their latest release.

Starting as a Death Metal act, they evolved more and more into a personal form of Blackened Death Metal that has the trademark elements from extreme Polish Metal, but always using their experience to be different, to create a massive personality. And on "Rugia", all is brutal and nasty, but using a lot of different tempos and some subjective and darkened melodies to temper their brutality. But pay attention: their work is extreme, but in many points, it shows the wisdom acquired from the experience. As usual, the quartet had the hands of Wiesławski brothers (Sławek and Wojtek, known for their works on Hertz Studios) taking care of the recordings, mixing and mastering. And the creation is something that allows the band to sound extreme and in a way that can be understood by everyone. But interesting, some crudeness is presented, different from many bands that prefer to not have such element on their musical works (and what reinforces the somber and dark side of the band's music).

All the songs of the album are excellent, but especially the well balance between brutality and dark arrangements heard on "Rugia" (the rhythmic changes are wonderful, what means that bass guitar and drums are forming a solid rhythmic wall), the sharp and dry melodies shown on the guitar riffs of "The Wolf Queen" and "Exiles of Pantheon", the climatic slow tempos of "Saturnus" (what makes the guttural vocals become evident on their interpretation), the oppressive and nasty ambience shown on "Resurgence" (where the technical insight increased in many parts, especially on the guitars arrangements due some morbid melodies), and the darkened masterpiece called "Sun of Extinction". But only for the first time, because on the second, the album becomes an addiction!

HATE always is a great choice for extreme Metal fans, so beware, because "Rugia" can bring aches to the necks!