ZATMENIE is one of the most in-demand bands on the moscow scene. As a result, most reviews of the thrashers' debut disc "Hatred" begin with the words "I saw band Z at club R N times..." I'll allow myself to break this established tradition, since I don't frequent concerts, don't collect video recordings, and the most important criterion for me — the one that determines whether the hefty imperial thumb turns up or down — remains the studio product. After all, it is precisely the compact plastic product of the music industry that will represent a band in the annals of history 100, 200, 1,000 years from now. And perhaps this very review will be used in the annotation on a yellowed library card...
So then, "Hatred." The album kicks off with the title track, picking up thrash speed in pursuit of the genre's classics. Despite its compositional integrity, the track makes a fairly even impression — the sound is dry, powerful; the mix is transparent, not cluttered with an excess of small details. The second song, "The Last Battle," is perhaps the most melodic on the disc — in the traditions of good old NWOBHM. Only the superb acoustic opening of "The Horseman" can rival it in harmoniousness: Pavel's tender vocals, as if sounding from afar, narrate something hazy and distant, about a meeting that was never meant to be. It should be noted that "The Horseman" is the only epic on the album. Deep and piercing, it allows the musicians' performing egos to fully unfold. Unquestionably the best track.
Another notable moment is the spectacular solo on "Long Live the King!" performed by maestro May Lian (the disc was, in fact, recorded at his studio). The remaining material is, for the most part, exemplary thrash and doesn't shine with original ideas. It's worth adding that the band deliberately uses russian lyrics — quite decent and well-suited to the music.