Hatred Surge – Servant b/w Bestial

Don´t know what it´s meant with: "7" has larger hole, in which the special circular insert is needed to play it".
In my opinion it simply has the usual 45rpm large hole.

This release is so ridiculously amazing. Looking at the back credits, it seems that Alex brought in a new vocalist and/or new member of Hatred Surge, Faiza Kracheni, as well as the noise artist Breathing Problem to create this single.

I really like how the packaging provides no clue as to what the songs sound like. It keeps the listener in suspense, or at least it kept me in suspense, until I could get to my record player.

"Servant" is total spastic chaos, spaced out over around 3 minutes playing time. (reminiscent of Hatred Surge's song "Casket"), straight up power electronics provided by Breathing Problem, drum solos? Elongated, agonizing chords, dual vocals. You can feel the pain. Then it kicks into usual Hatred Surge power chordage, before finally ending with more and guitar squealing.

"Bestial" is another spacious formation of chaos. This tune reminds me of a serial killer. Whispered vocals start the track, with a simple, yet heavy riff. In the background, vocals with reverb can be heard, in the vein of ghostly horror movie specters. The riff starts up, stops, starts up, stops. This song is filled with space. The riff repeats over and over, slower and slower and with more space in between, before ending with silence. Minimalistic, sparse, enough to explain the agony contained inside the track.

Overall, I am pleased with this single. It is something new for Alex, and although not for everyone, Servant/Bestial sheds a new light on what may be the new Hatred Surge. Every one of Alex's recordings sounds remarkably different. This recording is one of his darker, noisier pieces. Recommended for fans of power violence, power electronics, Iron Lung, Man is the Bastard, and all heavy, slow music.