Review by Denis on January 21, 2003.

With this fourth album, Colour Trip can be classified as well established musicians in the Urban Metal field. Not newcomers in the business since their origin took place in 1991 but with the name of Accessory. They changed their name to Colour Trip in 1993 when they changed both musical direction and Label (Massacre Records). In 1999 the band signed with Artic Music Group and released "Kill My Super Ego" with Siggi Bemm as a producer who was the one also involved with their third release "Full Time Function". The musicians in this recording are: Elmar Keineke (vocals), Mark Wolzenburg and Mathias Eigner (guitars), Michael Wintzen (drums) and Ingo Reinshagen (bass).

I'll go with my own definition of this type of music: fast, cruel, cold and straight in your face. Some songs are more mid-tempo at times though but they all come to a sudden end. The cruel side is conveyed by the lyrics sang by a sceaming type of death vocalist. The vocals remain clear enough to be understood and bring chills through your blood. The cold effect is in the meaning of the songs. All written by Mark, they depict some ugly aspects of modern life in big metropolis reality. The perfect music style to transport all this has to be straight in your face. Nothing fancy, dreamy, poetic or even less symphonic has been used. Instead you'll get plenty of great guitar riffs doing the drive throughout the recording. Some guitar solos here and there are making some pleasant appearances. The bass lines are strong and the drumming complete the dynamic trio of basic Metal elements. Much to my pleasure, all the instruments can be heard loud and clear even the bass which is not always the case in heavy music.

Bottom Line: The music is heavy but melodic, the lyrics while being hard still remain realistic.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Originality: 7
Production: 8.5
Overall: 7

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by Denis on August 7, 2003.

The pioneers of Norwegian Black Metal have been resurrected after a two year stint and are as vicious and hateful as ever. "Hate Them" is their 10th outing after having solidly established themselves in 1987. According to the band's bio, this album was recorded and mixed in 26 hours 'the true Darkthrone way.' From that comment we all know what to expect; raw, direct and rough.

Darkthrone doesn't want to be refined; they have succeeded by not paying too much attention to intricate details and spending as little time as possible in studio. The result is a raw, black sound giving the feeling it was recorded live without the annoying applauses, screams and whistling usually involved in concerts. The only sophistication is the electronic samplings opening and closing the album. The pace caught me by surprise on "Hate Them" and it's not the usual high speed black tempo that we might be used to from Darkthrone, but mostly played at mid pace. Darkthrone can throw in some awesome authentic environment, too, just as in 'Ytterst I Livet' sang in their native tongue but remaining melodic and catchy too. What I like the most in this album is the atmosphere that the Norwegians are giving us translating by being a musical venture as thrilling as it is dark with much blackened lyrics. See for yourself: "Black Metal is the devil's fuel"; "With rigid cramp or silent fear I strangle what you do hold dear..."

Bottom Line: Nocturno Culto and Fenriz will remain comfortably seated in their dark throne...

Categorical Rating Breakdown:

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 5
Originality: 4
Overall: 7

Rating: 6.4 out of 10