In May 2024, Hässlig from Alicante, Spain, released its third album, Apex Predator. However, at the end of December, a sort of remastered version surfaced on Bandcamp and most streaming platforms—though calling it a “mastering” might be a stretch. The original version had a slightly muddier production, whereas this new take is sharper, adding extra punch to the mix. Expect raw, old-school Black Metal with heavy Punk and Crustpunk influences, evoking names like Hellhammer, Gallhammer, Ramlord, and some of Darkthrone’s grittier moments.
Sharp, abrasive guitars, thick distorted basslines, D-beat-infused punk aggression, and shrieking, overdriven vocals form the backbone of this one-man project, led by D.B.—who is also behind Délirant and Negativa. And Hässlig (or hässlich, depending on your perspective) delivers exactly what the name suggests: gloriously ugly, filthy chaos. The Punk influence ensures the album barrels forward without a single moment of restraint.
Production-wise, this is worlds apart from many recent Black Metal releases. There’s no polished, glossy sound—just raw, freshly unearthed corpse vibes. Honestly, it’s refreshing. I recently saw a short clip where someone claimed Black Metal has lost its raw edge, that modern bands favor sleek production over the grimy, lo-fi grit of the ’90s. I assume that person (with a mouth full of scrap metal) hasn’t heard Hässlig. But was she wrong? Not entirely. The abrasive sound of early ’90s records is still relevant today, but technology has advanced, and so has production quality. Call it the wear and tear of time.
Clocking in at 36 minutes, Apex Predator also embraces a Punk mindset—12 tracks averaging about three minutes each, including a cover of Midnight’s Unholy and Rotten (a band that fits neatly within Hässlig’s sphere of influence). Another notable aspect is the lack of pauses between tracks; D.B. jumps seamlessly from one song to the next, making the album feel even more compact and relentless.
If you ask me, this remastered version of Apex Predator deserves a vinyl pressing just like its older sibling, because this mix hits even harder than the original from May 2024.
80/100