Hating Life (1996) is one of the most misunderstood, divisive, and ultimately underrated albums in the history of European death metal. It’s the record where GRAVE dared to shed expectations, defy purists, and carve out a grim new identity – one that sounds just as venomous and relevant today as it did nearly three decades ago.

 

Stepping away from the relentless savagery of their early ’90s output, GRAVE embraced a mid-paced, groove-driven, death ’n’ roll swagger, laced with hardcore grit and punk attitude. Hating Life doesn’t overwhelm through speed – it crushes through weight, repetition, and sheer hostility. This is an album that lurks, stalks, and strikes, oozing urban nihilism and bitter resolve.

 

Tracks like “Worth the Wait”, “Restrained” and “Still Hating Life” are filthy, hook-laden bruisers, driven by buzzing HM-2 riffs and stripped-down, anthemic grooves that refuse to let go. Ola Lindgren’s snarling, contempt-filled vocals cut straight through the mix, perfectly matched by a raw, almost hardcore-style production that enhances the album’s confrontational edge.

 

This isn’t death metal from the morgue – it’s death metal from the gutter, ugly, direct, and unapologetically mean. The 7 Mater CD reissue, limited to just 500 copies, finally gives Hating Life the respect it has always deserved. Presented in jewel case format, full-spread gritty artwork, and unearthed photos from the Hating Life era, this edition feels like a genuine artifact from a darker, heavier time. It’s a reissue done with care, conviction, and deep respect for the album’s legacy – exactly how classic records should be treated.

 

Revisited today, free from the backlash and confusion that surrounded its original release, Hating Life stands tall as a bold, forward-thinking, and brutally effective statement. It didn’t abandon death metal – it redefined how heavy it could be without relying on speed alone.