Devil's Review : The Project Hate MCMXCIX - Bleeding The New Apocalypse

The actual full name of this album is Bleeding The New Apocalypse (Cum Victriciis In Manibus Armis)but fuck me if I'm going to tie up the subject line with a ridiculously long album title. This release though is one of my anticipates of the year and I've gone back a few times to listen to it to make sure I give it a fair review. You see The Project Hate MCMXCIX is one of those bands that you have to listen to more then once because their music is filled with changes and nuances you will miss the first couple of times. To write a review based purely on first impressions does not do the work this group puts into each and every track justice.

Bleeding through the Apocalypse is the 8th studio album and the first with female vocalist Ruby Roque of Portugal's Witchbreed for the band from Sweden.Also new to this album is the drummer with Lord K also taking on bass duties on top of keyboards and guitar. Stylistically there isn't much deviation from previous releases. There is the punishing riffs, the excellent growls from Jorgen Sandstrom, and the occasional industrial/techno breaks that people familiar with the band are used to.What sets it apart is Ruby's vocals. She has a much different vocal delivery then previous singer Jonna Enckell did. While Jo had a more linear sometimes monotone delivery Ruby has a loud, bombastic delivery that forces you to listen to her. Is that a good thing? Sometimes. But after 6 very long tracks clocking in between 9-12 minutes it begins to wear thin because she rarely deviates from that style of singing.Even on lower registers she eventually rises to the same crescendo.

Musically the album is solid as always. The mix is very good and you can distinctly hear every instrument. Nothing gets buried especially the vocals.This album like the previous is one that is meant to be heard over a killer stereo system. And the songs are still filled with the same hatred for Christianity that they always have been. 'Summoning War Majestic' has to be one of my favorite tracks due to the evil tones that Jorgen has, almost black metalish and then his roaring vocals are almost perfect.It also helps that one of my favorite vocalists in Christian Alvestam (of Scar Symmetry and Solution .45 fame) has a guest spot on here.'The Serpent Crowning Ritual' is another favorite because the almost dance beat rhythm gets you hooked and then even after it's gone the guitars keep it going with a killer riff.

Basically if you liked previous albums you will like this one. And if you're new to the band you can jump into this one just fine and work your way backwards. The deciding factor has to be Ruby Roque. I think there is going to be some polarization among the fans on whether she is a good addition or not. And new listeners will have to decide if her style of vocals suits them or not. Regardless I still recommend a purchase of this. The Project Hate is doing very cool and unique things in the world of extreme metal. This would be one of the few times I could be all over a trend in metal. Check it out when it releases February 14th through Season of Mist Records.
Score: 7 Sins out of 10
Here is the first single released 'Summoning War Majestic'