By Deuce

Never let it be said (although it certainly has before) that unlike singing, which simply exceeds the prowess of some, if not many people wandering about this plane, that anyone, if not everyone, can learn to play the guitar.

True, they might learn to play that stringed instrument better than they can when they first touch it. But if there’s one thing Negativehate proves on its latest Long Player, Shapeshifter, it’s that there’s some people who’ll never be able to play the guitar like this.

The guitars on this work are definitional to its artistic merit and sheer joy. The vast majority of them are electric. There’s leads, tubed guitars, rhythm guitars, and likely much more. The dudes in this 5-person band bring those things to life with a poignancy, and keen sense of piquancy, that is simply unheard throughout the majority of the free world—or anywhere else.

These gents have the knack for truly stimulating with this instrument, oftentimes at a pace and cadence that’s equal to that of running rivulets in the hush before aurora rises, needling, stimulating, and pinpricking you up and down with the tiniest, sharpest notes of what often seems elation.

True enough, there’s some peerless drumming (or rather percussion) in the mix that adds to this effect, particularly on the nine-plus minute opus known as “Obsidian Dawn”, in which either Jacob Morales or Sergio Sanchez (and more likely the latter) goes to town doubling and tripling up the high hats while seemingly playing them live.

Eric Stewart does his part on the bass to perfection on this number and others like “Infinity Bias”. But, between Freedom Scheyd, Chuck Scandura, and Matt Howard, all of whom are credited with the guitar on this outing, there’s rarely a need for vocals anywhere on this project.

Any naysayer, dissident, or infidel need only gander at the name of the tunes on this album to see that this band is far from messing around. When’s the last time you heard a cut called “Luminous Abyss”? How about “Hrethgir”, or “Hireath”? And, heard beating songs to back up those titles?

Nope, you simply don’t fluke up on music like this, especially the way they go at those guitars conjuring, crafting, and prodding at spirits, sensuality, and the unspoken with notes of music. Such songs are a wonder, making Negativehate nothing less than the wondrous.