Unrelenting Fucking Hatred

The fear of a nuclear holocaust has considerably decreased since the end of the Cold War. It is now terrorist attacks and natural disasters that fuel our collective fears. However, humanity still holds enough atomic weapons to destroy itself a thousand times and plunge earth into an endless winter. This possibility is at the heart of Rage Nucléaire’s concept, a band resulting of an association between Lord Worm (ex-Cryptopsy) and Alvater (ex-Frozen Shadows). First result of this unexpected collaboration between two pioneers of Quebec extreme metal is called Unrelenting Fucking Hatred, an album that bears its name well.

Subtlety is band’s first victim, sacrificed right at the beginning with Violence is Golden. This introductory song perfectly illustrates main aesthetic choices made by the group, based entirely on an aggression / speed couple. All other considerations are rolled by an incessant rhythmic deluge dealt by Fredrik Widigs (Diabolical, Witchery), recruited drummer for the occasion who astounds with its precision performance.

Other instruments, in particular Lord Worm voice, contribute more to the overall doom impression. Rage Nucléaire’s « gutturalist » (a neologism of my own perfectly applicable here) emits tortured sounds, real groans more reminiscent of a wild animal than a human being. This feature, while appropriate to the band style, becomes annoying over listenings. Some vocal changes would have given some relief to the listener and another dimension to the songs.

Guitar also adds a radioactivity dose to this record, with good riffs, but especially with a pervasive effect of static electricity (« fuzz ») that again seems to confine us in a post-atomic nightmare. Finally, note keyboards and samples contribution, which create an atmosphere both martial (explosions, machine gun fire and even a speech by Hitler!) And surprisingly melodic, especially Endziel and its intro recalling Jesus of Nazareth (1977, directed by Franco Zeffirelli) soundtrack!

Rage Nucléaire music is inorganic, like a world destroyed by its own weapons. Understanding this underlying concept is essential to penetrate a world otherwise unnerving. My own tastes are usually more organic-oriented, but Unrelenting Fucking Hatred remains a good record and a great way to prepare for the Apocalypse.

Originally written for Métal Obscur.