Having unquestionably earned their status in the metal genre as the eight hundred pound gorilla, striking out in 1997 Hate Eternal acquired much deserved acclaim as a super group boasting members from Morbid Angel (Rutan), Cannibal Corpse (Alex Webster) and Suffocation (Doug Cerrito). The drumming duties were rounded out by Tim Yeung, an arguably one-time undefined artist who would go on to pummel the scene with outfits such as Vital Remains, Nile and currently Divine Heresy.

An outfit of this caliber doesn't simply appear out of thin air -- hocus pocus. As the one constant defining Hate Eternal, Rutan cut his teeth on efforts with his former bands, Ripping Corpse and Morbid Angel. Additionally, Hate Eternal enjoys a celebrated back catalog, as well; hit the "Quick Search" on the Chronicles of Chaos website to glance through the Hate Eternal reviews and concert write-ups.

Having developed in skill and experience since their days on Kraze/Maze America, this 2008 effort reunites once again Erik with Shaune Kelley, both original guitarists having made a name for themselves in Ripping Corpse. Almost without missing a solitary riff -- presto -- these masters of their craft fall back into a rhythm that defies rationalization. The communication between these two on this release simply must be witnessed to be believed. While the times of Ripping Corpse and _Dreaming With the Dead_ have come to pass, more now than ever Hate Eternal indefinably conjures a rapture of biblical proportions with _Fury & Flames_.

While the ten tracks and forty minutes comprising _Fury & Flames_ could be described as seething, merciless or ruthless, the album embraces a darker depiction with many more layers to its profundity and depth. The mêlée of each track assaults the listener from the initial blast beat on "Hell Envenom". From that point, _F&F_ summons an untold wave of unnatural feeling from places untapped by the human spirit.

By track four, "Bringer of Storms", the video cut from _Fury & Flames_, submission is no longer an option, but rather a foregone conclusion. Alex Webster's heavy ended bass proficiency is respectably highlighted on track six, the damning "Thus Salvation". By "Tombeau (Le Tombeau de la Fureur et des Flammes)", Hate Eternal has, what can only be described as, immortally maculated your existence. The outro, culminating the album, "Coronach" is the superlative prestige to this would-be enchantment and powerfully bona fide metal magnum opus.

Why isn't _Fury & Flames_ a solid 10 out of 10 then? Truth be known, it really -is-! Reason? As it turns out, the less-than-apropos author Marabel Morgan may have summarized it best, "Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality; the other, a matter of time." Here's hoping Erik again attempts to out do himself with next Hate Eternal album; then we can discuss a perfect 10 (out of 11) -- abracadabra!