What's up, Black Metal maniacs? I'm here once again to give you an insight on RUACH RAAH's new album - "Hate Fanaticism" and it is a blinder of a first full-length release.

This is RUACH RAAH's first full-length with only one Demo and a couple Split releases since formation in 2012. In the same vain of SLAYER's "Reign In Blood" album, "Hate Fanaticism" is only around a half hour long with 10 heavy Black Metal tracks. As you can expect; the album will end pretty quickly, but is a heavy-lifting; head banger of an album.

From the get go, I sensed a Punk sound which was very interesting to me considering this is a Black Metal band. Musically; RUACH RAAH know how to Black Metal. One flaw I'd have to consider with "Hate Fanaticism" is the sound production is very raw but it's a little bit rough, which in most cases can be a good thing and from my experience, most Black Metal fans love this...I didn't let this bother me though, it still sounds killer. Typical Black Metal vocals are well noticeable and the atmosphere of Black Metal is as well. With added touches of Punk and Thrash built in...expect to thrash about a bit.

With a DARKTHRONE aesthetic comes the raw brutally of early CELTIC FROST. Inherently old-school sounding with very catchy but neck-breaking Metal clarity, "Hate Fanaticism" is very organic as I begin "Arsonist". With a few different touches from the typical inner Black Metal provided: including the Punk sound I previously mentioned; on top of just raw and rough Black Metal talent, this is simply just that of which most Black Metal veterans will easily recognise and dig. While "Absolute Occult" and "Guided By Death, Driven By Hate" are only 2 minutes long each; there isn't too much to mention with these shorter tracks, still extremely fast and rough though with added sound effects adds a nice touch, I must note the very nice bass strum at the end of "Guided By Death, Driven By Hate", though.

In a short description of the rest of the shorter tracks namely: "In Hell Baptized", "Hate Fanaticism" and "Black Plague Of Satan"; mostly sound similar to each other and again, are incredible heavy-hitters... While "Black Plague Of Satan" had some particularly fine thrashy and groovy tones. The longer tracks provided a solidly fine but similarly samey indifference, to just being longer. "Emperor Of The Black Abyss" especially is probably one of my favorite tracks on the album, with what previously is created from what I mentioned earlier makes this an easy target for me. With that... "Kiss The Ring Of The Baron" introduces what sounds like a segment from a film, then blowing the listener away with slower but faster effects; also shows off the atmospheric integrity this band potentially give off. And while I'm at it; the title track "Hate Fanaticism" has an epic, heavy riff all throughout and just slays, similarly found in "Womb Overture" as well but adds speed and overall; technique. Musically and instrumentally; this band are a team to be reckoned with.

As I finalise the rest of the album...I can only really call this your typical Black Metal record that all fans of Black Metal will probably relish the thought of trying out after reading this review. I can only encourage you to check it out. Is it masterful? Yes. Is it powerful? Yes. Will you go nuts to it? YES.

While I give this a positive review; I am but the judge, and overall, RUACH RAAH, while still in their early stages of becoming this well-known traditionally epic Black Metal band, certainly deserve the attention. Need a new Black Metal band in your ever-growing Black Metal collection? Then support RUACH RAAH, you won't be disappointed.

...Just prepare to get whiplashed!