Metal Forever
H.A.T.E. was originally formed in early 1988 by Greg "Wags" Wagner (Shatter Messiah,ex-Archetype,ex-Breaker)and Chuck Ruszin and quickly became a top drawing act in central and northern Ohio. Their following grew as they toured extensively in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois. The music was a sound of the times and was well received by local and regional radio. H.A.T.E. was also a favorite support for national touring acts like, NAZARETH, U.F.O., SAXON, METAL CHURCH, and OVERKILL. Two of its founding members, Greg Wagner and Chuck Ruszin have resurected H.A.T.E. from the grave and recruited power drummer, Michael"Hazard"Harris (ex-Real Steel) to the line-up. A recent addition to the band is former Annihilator and Nevermore guitarist Curran Murphy, who brings with him fast and ripping lead work as well as melodic leads and rhythms. This all original, classic style power metal group has an impressive library of material both new and old. Their in your face style of bone crushing metal will capture you from the first note and hold you hostage till the end. H.A.T.E. has just self-released their debut album titled "METAL FOREVER", and are anxious for their fans to get it and hope it makes it into the hands of future H.A.T.E. fans. Three very talented lead guitar players agreed to make guest appreances on the album: Lou St. Paul of Wintersbane; Curran Murphy of Shatter Messiah (former Nevermore/Annihilator), and Nick Giannakos of Wretch and Breaker.The band plans on refocusing their attention on playing more live dates and a future tour coming soon in support of "METAL FOREVER" release. All four members have a strong passion for the 80's metal sound which can be heard in almost everything they write. The band is in tune with the new era in metal sounds and incorporates some of what's going on in todays music scene in some of their material. "Metal Forever" is a must have for all true metal lovers to add to their libraries!!! Reveiw of "Metal Forever" by METAL TO INFINITY (Belgium) Stefan Silegham users.telenet.be/metaltoinfinity/MTIindex.htm My desire to excellent US Classic Metal music is granted once again with a band like H.A.T.E.! Greg 'Wags' Warner (former frontman of Archetype and Breaker) and Chuck Ruszin (bass) formed the band in 1988. Touring across the United States with bands like U.F.O., Saxon, Metal Church, Overkill, etc...H.A.T.E. booked very positive criticisms those days. Everyone whom had the chance to see these men doing their duty on stage knew immediately that their future was insured. Unfortunately H.A.T.E. did not arrived where many had hoped on. Okay, they were awesome during live performances, made awesome songs back then but did not get the opportunity to sign a contract. Contemporary, it's damn hard to become approaches by a record company, well believe me on my word...way back in time it was a true nightmare, much more difficult to catch a record label! But alright, the band wants to play Metal which they did very well. Real Metal musician's ambitions coming straight from the heart and never give up the fight, whatever it takes. Pity enough a deadly silence came knocking on the band's door and the future doesn't look too good those days. Was it the end of a great Heavy Metal outfit? Hell no because after 17 years, H.A.T.E.'s resurrection is a fact people! Original builders Greg and Chuck are back in business to kick some ass, back for more and how!? Guys teamed up now are original drummer of Reel Steel, Michael 'Hazard' Harris and Curren Murphy (former Annihilator / Nevermore and current guitarist of Shatter Messiah). Eventually, H.A.T.E. has succeeded bringing out their own album entiled "Metal Forever" which is a superb, independent work that brings me personally in an overwhelming trance. You are taken in a seizure right from the start till the bitter end. Guys, THIS IS AWESOME!!! 14 tracks, both old and new ones played in a manner...it feels like i'm stoned again! US Classic Heavy Metal to enjoy with heart and soul. First, i was immediately knocked out by the impressive way of singing (Jon Oliva meets David Wayne), delivered by Mr. Greg Wagner. Armed with incredibly seizing vocal skills and the way this guy plays guiter takes me outta control! Actually, there are three axemen"Metal Forever" contains three prepared to grant their skills to this CD. Besides the previously mentioned Curran Murphy (Shatter Messiah), also guys like Lou St. Paul (Wintersbane!) and Nick Giannakos (Wretch, Breaker, Auburn Recording artis!). It's just brilliant to hear how so many superb guitar riffs / solo's infest your speakers. I can't get enough of this album!! You should hear the combined actions of both bass and drum duties...words really fail me to discribe what i feel inside while i'm playing this album. This must be 'without a doubt' the springboard, concerning signing a more than deserved record label. In any case, i stand entirely behind these guys because it's my personal favourite style of music in the first place, point two: their skills to gain a very high level. Bands crosses my mind while listening mostly belong to the 80s Metal scene such as: Meliah Rage, early Savatage/Metal Church, Premonition, Wretch, Doctor Butcher, Sacred Oath,..."Metal Forever" disturbs me on non area which means that i'm completely satisfied with this reult. A one-hour Metal work...certainly and permanently, i'm sure that a continuation is on the way. Michael Harris let me know that H.A.T.E. are returning to the studio to begin work on a sophomore album in hope to pick up by a label. Meanwhile, you can already order "Metal Forever" via: www.myspace.com/halfwayattheend or http://cdbaby.com/cd/hatemetal . Feeling yourself called to offer the album in the CD store nearby, send an email to: info@wehateu2.com for all further regulations. An album with a lot of class and musical wisdom, it goddamn makes me speechless!!. GREAT / AWESOME / SUPERB on all areas. Order right away!!! MY POINTS: 98 / 100 ----------------------------------------------------------- Review of "METAL FOREVER" THE METAL CRYPT By: Michel Renaud I came across H.A.T.E. (Halfway At The End) a few weeks ago while browsing thrash releases at CDBaby.com. The band originally formed in 1988, disbanded in 1992 and recently got back together, and "Metal Forever" is their first full length. This is heavy/thrash very much in the vein of early Metal Church (say, the first three albums.) It is more of a stylistic similarity than actually sounding like Metal Church, so no need for the paranoids among you to start screaming "ripoffs!", alright? ;) The vocalist is like a non-nasal version of David Wayne, sharing a pretty similar style. He is definitely one of the highlights of the album, boasting very clean vocals, both powerful and melodic and his performance is nearly perfect. There's usually something that'll annoy me with the vocals over the span of an album, but this is one of those rare times when there weren't a few seconds when I didn't want to strangle the vocalist. Quite a feat considering the album is just over 64 minutes in length. The guitars are all over the place, mixing such styles as mid-80s Metallica and Metal Church, and early 80s NWOBHM à la Iron Maiden and Saxon. The drums sound a bit muffled at times, but not to the point of affecting the listening experience. "Metal Forever" sounds old school with a modern production, and the songwriting style is parachuted directly from the 80s (my guess is that at least some of this material was written back then.) The album might be lengthy, but fear not, none of the songs here are filler garbage - although I must note that a few songs end with a few seconds of silence, don't know what's up with that, but you faithful readers know how much that gets on my nerves. ;) There's a lot of variety on display on the 14 songs presented here, from "semi-ballads" all the way to take-no-prisoners thrash attacks. Highly recommended.