After many, many months, the US is finally treated to the newest album by Danish thrashers Hatesphere, thanks to their signing with Century Media. Since hearing it, I'm pretty disappointed that nobody picked up on this band much earlier. Bloodred Hatred is an exhibition of the newer style of thrash: not the riff-laden monsters of a Destruction or Dark Angel album, but the chunkier, slightly more melodic style like The Haunted and The Crown. Although, compared to those bands, Hatesphere is a little less virulent, and packs more groove and melodicized leads/solos into their songs. Ultimately, Bloodred Hatred is an enjoyable listen that isn't the most original record on the shelf, but it is a definite headbanger - and isn't that what it's all about? The production gets the job done and fits the mood of the music well. If it were a loud and abrasive job like on Dew-Scented's Inwards, it would just feel overemphasized. I also like how they put a little more volume into the solos and assorted high-note leads. The guitar duo of Peter Hansen and Ziggy impressed me with their flair for adding the melodic touches between all of the fine thrash riffs. Morten Hansen's drum work supports the guitars perfectly, without being very flashy and show stopping, while the vocals of Bredahl are like diet screams - almost discernible, but with just a bit of harshness. Excluding the standard intro track, the album stands at eight actual songs, along with two older tracks added for this round of releases. Believer is one of the standouts with a vicious beginning complete with some pummeling drumming before downshifting for the duration of the song. The adept soloing lets you know right from the first song that this album has a bit more than you'd first expect. Insanity Arise is more of a traditional thrasher - fast, fast, and fast - only broken by a random little clean voice/synth-backed jaunt in the middle. Plague, while far too short, has some fine, relentless riffage, particularly at 0:22. Kicking Ahead is more typical for this sub-genre, with a main riff that demands foot-stomping, headbanging participation at home. Bottom line: Hatesphere is an up-and-coming band with a great deal of potential. They've got a nice sound carved out for themselves with this melodic take on Swedish thrash, but some of songs could be a little stronger, and there should be more songs in general. Unless you're writing Opeth-length tracks, I like 10 +, but I'm also greedy when it comes to metal. This album has been long overdue in the US. Go ahead and work those neck muscles to Bloodred Hatred, it's good for you.