Anata - The Infernal Depths of Hatred (1998)

Genre: Technical Death Metal

Release Date: October 4, 1998

1. Released When You're Dead (4:22)

2. Let the Heavens Hate (3:49)

3. Under Azure Skies (5:39)

4. Vast Lands/Infernal Gates (5:07)

5. Slain Upon His Altar (4:39)

6. Those Who Lick the Wounds of Christ (6:48)

7. Dethrone the Hypocrites (6:04)

8. Aim Not at the Kingdom High (5:46)

Many people like to stereotype metalheads as mindless, unintelligent Satan worshippers who are lucky if they have enough brains to acquire a high school degree.  Having a PhD in their midst (bassist Henrik Drake has a PhD in geology), Anata certainly smashes this common misconception, proving once again that metal is more often than not an intelligent musical style.  Technical death metal is particularly demanding and requires extreme proficiency in playing your instrument as well as having a background in music theory and song structure.  Anata passes all the litmus tests that define a great metal band – precision, talent, brutality, melody, etc.

Hailing from Varberg, Sweden, Anata was formed in 1993.  The band initially experimented on their songs by mixing a variety of different styles of heavy metal.  Following two demos and some lineup changes, Anata got signed to a French label and recorded their first album soon afterward.  By the time of the release of this album, The Infernal Depths of Hatred (1998), Anata had already developed their signature style of technical death metal.  The influence of Swedish melodic death metal is easy to detect in Anata’s music.  Their melody often sets them apart from many of the Canadian acts that dominate the genre of technical death metal.  This can easily been seen on their first album.

The Infernal Depths of Hatred is an absolutely brilliant album.  The songs seamlessly alternate between heavy brutal riffing and melodic passages throughout the entire album, creating a symphony of chaos that still maintains tight control musically.  This release is most satisfying if listened to from start to finish in its entirety.  It really feels as though it was written with the intention of being listened to in this fashion.  Each song perfectly complements all the other tracks on the album, creating a unifying sound.

“Released When You’re Dead” opens up the album with a bludgeoning assault of death metal.  See the link below:

Released When You're Dead

This album is epic and captures the sound and themes of desperation.  This is perhaps best heard on the song “Slain Upon His Altar”.  The song starts with a melodic bass intro that quickly gives way to an aggressive guitar melody that reminds me of something from At the Gates or Paths of Possession.  This song really paints the picture that is indicated by the title of the track, and I really think it encapsulates all the themes of the album both lyrically and musically.

In particular, the last four songs of the album sound like they could be combined into a single epic super-song (though I really think all the songs on Infernal Depths are inseparable and complement each other brilliantly).  That is how unifying their overall sound is.  Each track flows directly into the next one through the end of the album.  “Aim Not at the Kingdom High” is the best song Anata could have ended the release with.  It’s a perfect combination and representation of all the styles employed on this record.

Aim Not at the Kingdom High

While The Infernal Depths of Hatred is not as refined as their latest release, The Conductor’s Departure (2007), it is certainly a masterpiece and is among the best technical death metal albums I’ve listened to yet.  It captures a certain raw feeling that isn’t quite as present in Anata’s later records.  I highly recommend this album to anyone who is a lover of death metal and wants to hear a standout band from this impressive genre.

Final Rating: 10/10 

MASTERPIECE

3 Favorite Songs from the Album: Released When You're Dead, Slain Upon His Altar, Those Who Lick the Wounds of Christ

*Author’s Note: This review was originally posted on another blog I had called Fucking Death Metal.  I’ve decided to repost some of my reviews from that blog on this one, with minor revisions.