HELLBEARER hailing from Manchester, England were formed in 2022. The Thrash Metal outfit released their sophomore album "Darker Fates". It has a length of about 52 minutes. The album is an independent release. The album starts with the dark and tension-building intro "Pull The Card", leading into "The Witch". "The Witch" is a classical Thrash Metal song with tight guitar riffing at fast pace. The vocals are harsh and vary around the medium end of the vocal range with a few tonal shifts towards higher pitched notes. There is also backing vocal support notable during the track. Highlight is the extended break with the multi-parted and never-ending lead guitar solo. Altogether, "The Witch" is a strong opening track. "Absolution" is introduced by powerful guitar riffs at mid-tempo, transitioning into the verse part. The melodies are dark and there is a tempo and rhythm switch during the verse part, where the track becomes faster and the riffing tight and direct. The vocals use a few deeper notes and there is also backing vocal support. The break starts without any transition with the extended and contributing lead guitar solo.

"Count The Seconds" starts with grim melodies and punishing guitar riffs, supported by a first lead guitar solo. After this extended introduction, the track finally transitions into a verse part at fast tempo with direct and aggressive guitar riffs and crunching basslines. There are a few subtle twists in tempo and rhythm, but altogether the track remains fast. The break offers a relatively short lead guitar solo, but it fits perfectly to the track. "Count The Seconds" was released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below. The beginning of "The Mantra" is a reminder of SLAYER's "Season In The Abyss", however, the track starts its own life very quickly with spine-chilling melodies and devastating guitar riffs at a measured tempo. The focus of "The Mantra" is put on a dark delivery of melodies, rather than on pace and aggression. Both come back in "Sacred Future", where the guitar riffing is direct and the vocals are very aggressive. It is a fast track with chilling melodies, especially during the break with another excellent lead guitar solo. "A Darker Fate" starts with traditional and tight Thrash Metal riffing at blistering pace, going into the verse part. The vocals are very versatile with many tonal shifts in either direction during the track. The tempo slows down to mid-tempo during the chorus parts. The break for the lead guitar solo is a fast one apart from the bridge at the end of it, where thunderous guitar riffs at measured tempo deliver the transition to the next verse part. Towards the end of the track, there is a second break with a second lead guitar solo.

"Stoneheart" keeps the Thrash Metal assault going with a mixture of fast parts and mid-tempo parts. The fast parts are driven by the tight Thrash Metal riffs accompanied by crushing baselines. The mid-tempo parts are a delivery of powerful guitar riffs and grim melodies. Highlights of the track are once again the multiple lead guitar solos. "Afflicted" begins with a guitar-driven slow introduction, offering bone-chilling melodies and a first lead guitar solo. After about two minutes, the drums and vocals join in, while the slow tempo remains and it all seems to develop into a ballad. The vocals fit accordingly and are almost clean. However, there is a shift of tempo and nature of the track for a fast break with punishing guitar riffs and grim melodies. Finally, the track switches back to its ballad-esque setting. "Through An Orphans' Eyes" goes back into full Thrash Metal mode at fast pace with direct and very aggressive guitar riffs and vocals. The vocals use a lot of deeper notes. In between, there are short lead guitar solos at every opportunity. The track undergoes several phases with twists and turns in tempo, rhythm, and riffing.

"Through An Orphans' Eyes" is one of the album highlights. The album finishes with "Sands Of Time" and the track starts with powerful guitar riffs at mid-tempo with orientally inspired melodies, leading into the verse part. Right after finishing the first verse, another contributing lead guitar solo is delivered. The melodic framework is blood-freezing throughout the track. The break slows down to a measured tempo, and it is supported by strong basslines and a short solo. "Sands Of Time" is an excellent Thrash Metal track and a perfect way to end the album. HELLBEARER offer a good second album. "Darker Fates" is classical Thrash Metal, it is a fast and aggressive delivery of tight guitar riffs, crushing basslines, and spine-chilling melodies. Highlights are the lead guitar solos, even though they were overly used at times. The vocals are very versatile and keep the sound very well together. The album production could have been better. Overall, Thrash Metal fans can really look forward to the new album release of HELLBEARER.