Poland’s Blackened Death Metal masters, Hate, are back with their thirteenth album, Bellum Regiis. For me, just like its twelve predecessors, this is another masterpiece.
Hate – Bellum Regiis
Release Date: 2 May 2025
Words: Jools Green
Bellum Regiis unleashes nine blistering tracks that are as brutal as they are eerily atmospheric. It is a release that Hate founder ATF Sinner explains is “lyrically a more humanity-focused and personal album than [predecessor] Rugia. The Bellum Regiis songs are a timely aural and visual exploration of a struggle for power and everything that comes with it.”
Hate have always found inspiration within nature and its mysteries. “Whether that’s the nature within us, around us or that we see from afar,” ATF Sinner says, “the perspectives gained and how they relate to different overarching themes have driven each album.”
Hate delve into humanity and why we, as creatures, are so deeply motivated by concepts like power, wealth, glory and faith. The main theme focuses on the struggle for power, hence the album title Bellum Regiis, which translates to “A War of Royalty” or “A War of Kings.” This draws specific inspiration from Ancient Greek literature in general and the Iliad in particular.
The album opens with title track Bellum Regiis. “As a song, it has both a deep melancholy and a sense of grandeur,” ATF Sinner says. “Whether that’s nostalgia, reminiscence, regret, or preparation for the future is in the eye of the beholder. These wars, these struggles, have been ongoing since the dawn of our existence. Whether they are futile or not, they are scars on our very nature.”
All of this is very much encompassed in the piece. After the melancholic, reflective opener, it expands into a piece that is both commanding and powerful. The haunting, soaring backing vocals by Eliza Sacharczuk expand on that atmosphere. As the track progresses, it develops further intensity, but that melancholic, reflective mood holds firm, bolstered further by a superb swathe of reflective but squealing leadwork in the second half.
We continue with the album’s first single, Iphigenia, who, in Greek mythology, was a daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra. ATF Sinner explains that “it’s about sacrificing your life for a greater cause. The example of Iphigenia is striking because she is given a choice to save her own life.
“Yet she decides to be put to death, and in this way, help support the Greek side in the Trojan War.” Again featuring the haunting backing vocals of Eliza Sacharczuk, this song delivers a heady meld of drive and punch. The undercurrent is dark and haunting, while lyrically, it’s very powerful and moving. The second half leadwork reflects the powerful and moving atmosphere of the lyrics.
The Vanguard, sound-wise, very much lives up to its name in many ways. Named after the frontmost part of an advancing army, it reflects not only the past but the present.
As ATF Sinner explains, the song follows the literal definition, “mercilessly destroying the land of an enemy. Lyrically, I use the Scythian conquests as an example of a brutal, ferocious invasion force, but it’s a ritual of pretty much every war we observe today as well.”
Musically, it is almost cinematic as it opens, but it’s also a powerful brute of a track with some very fast parts and some pretty impressive drum work. As a result, along with an unrelenting and merciless drive and superb soaring second-half leadwork, this a piece that engages well with the listener.
Delving into the cycles of life and death, the next piece, A Ghost Of Lost Delight, offers a powerful and positive plea for hope in dark times. Something that is as pertinent now as it was in past times, it is a reflective but dark and powerful piece. The mid-point leadwork is haunting and reflective.
Next, the brief interlude Rite Of Triglav delivers spoken elements over pummelling drums. I believe this refers to the spiritual journey undertaken by some people from Slovenia climbing Mount Triglav, its highest peak, which is often regarded as a rite of passage.
Continuing the Slavic theme, Perun Rising delves into their mythology, referring to Perun, the highest god of the pantheon and the god of sky, thunder, lightning, storms, rain, law, war, fertility and oak trees.
In keeping with the theme of nature within us and around us, musically, it confronts you with a wall of undulating driving riffs and pounding drums. The pace switches and picks up as the raw and deep vocals arrive. Perun Rising is a piece that engulfs you in its intense sound. You also get more haunting backing vocals from Eliza, which add further drama and atmosphere.
Alfa Inferi Goddess Of War is a stirring, powerful and unrelentingly driving piece. Stunningly impactful, it leads to penultimate piece, Prophet Of Arkhen, musically harbouring a superbly ominous dark undercurrent.
I love the bursts of riffing that tear through and pound your senses. They add even more impact to an already strong, attention-grabbing piece.
The final offering, Ageless Harp Of Devilry, opens on a dark, undulating drive that sweeps you along. The repeating sharp bursts of riffing pierce their way through. Throughout, it is a complexly engaging and often hypnotic piece that twists and turns with unpredictable brilliance. You get one final brief swathe of soaring leadwork, which, on your first listen, suggests this piece is near its conclusion, only to then forge forward for one final sensory assault.
The striking and powerful cover art by Daniel Rusiłowicz portrays a king who has clearly endured hardship and struggles. “He is like someone standing in front of a precipice, on the brink of collapse,” ATF Sinner says. “He’s lost everything except the crown, the only visible mark of his former greatness. Yet, he still holds some dignity, some spark of that Stirps Regia, the law that comes from his ancestry. He holds onto it against all odds.”
Hate are a band that have never disappointed me with either their studio or live work. One of my favourite aspects has always been the powerful, deep clarity to ATF Sinner’s raw vocal delivery, which seems to get better with every album.
As a band, Hate always deliver to the max, and this element has not changed with Bellum Regiis. It is a superb listen.
Bellum Regiis will be released on2 May 2025 via Metal Blade Records in CD and digital formats as well as Vinyl LP in the following colour variants:
180g Black
Grey Marble
Silver Blackdust (Ltd. 300)
Gold Blackdust (Ltd. 200)
Black/White Splatter (US Exclusive Ltd. 350)
All can be pre-ordered at MetalBlade.com/hate.
