There have been some truly monumental Black Metal releases from Germany this year including new albums from TOTAL HATE, IMPERIUM DEKADENZ, and on October 18, the latest from Hamburg's own NEGATOR.  For those unaware the band formed back in 2003 and have been hard at refining their sound since.  In the sixteen years that have passed, NEGATOR have released four previous full-length albums.  Fans of true Black Metal are sure to be attracted to the band's no-frills approach that still manages to push things forward while staying true to their ethos.

If there is a band NEGATOR most closely resembles, it would have to be DARK FUNERAL.  That isn't to say the band is unoriginal or derivative.  Rather, the similarity lies in both bands' straight forward approach to the genre, use of thickly layered guitar melodies and harmonies, and in the timbre of their respective vocalists.

With "Vnitas Pvrita Existentia," NEGATOR are effectively staking their claim in the German Black Metal scene where talent is brimming in practically every corner.  "Temple of Light" kicks things off and begins with an introduction that has a soundtrack-like quality replete with cinematic keyboards and the sound of falling rain.  When things get going, though, the air of spiteful hatred is all too palpable.  The chords are sharp like the most lethal of incisors spelling certain imminent doom for their prey.  This track is followed by "Sangvis Serpentis".  Its combination of classic Heavy Metal approach a la daunting palm-muted riffs and minor key Black Metal chords is striking.  One gets the feeling of grandiosity that came with Metal's glory days with visions of leather and searing hot, burning pentagrams.

"Kaire Phos," the third track is absolutely brutal with an insatiable Death Metal feel to the main riff.  The band also manages to throw a very steady, galloping Thrash drum feel to the verse section.  Toward the latter half of the song, the breakdown is simply deadly as both guitars are hard panned playing two distinctly different riffs that resolutely complement each other in blazing DISSECTION style.  The following track, "Pyroleophis," is a jarring, pulverizing affair.  The double bass performance is truly exceptional echoing the ferocious attack of the mighty Hellhammer.  "Et Verbvm Caro Factvm Est," the eighth track, contains an eerie clean section as an interlude that successfully separates sections that hearken back to MORBID ANGEL's "Altars of Madness".  Indomitable tremolo picking next ensues accented by a low, cadenced bass line.

NEGATOR have successfully penned ten tracks that incorporate some of the best elements of Black Metal.  By mixing things up with some errant tropes of both Death Metal and Thrash, the band defies monotony.  Any who doubt the success of their bombastic vitriol need only listen to "Regnvm Spiritus Immvndi," the seventh track.  This is nothing less than a stunningly militant, decisive force of nature.