Sometimes we all need to just sit back and listen to the most devastating, crushing, and brutal concoction of Death Metal available in order to satisfy the over-aggressive imbalances of the soul. THE PROJECT HATE MCMXCIX has striven to become that definitive symbol of insane heaviness for over ten years now, all the while maintaining a steady mixture of catchy groove combos and slow progressions of gothic beauty for good measure. While 2007's "In Hora Mortis Nostrae" featured an array of guest musicians to aid in evolving their sound, the aftertaste felt a little stale and dry, leaving fans to wonder whether they could ever truly take their music to a new level of mastery. "The Lustrate Process", with the help of a new set of music veterans, accomplishes all that and more, unquestionably emerging as the greatest achievement of the band's career thus far.

From start to finish, the album establishes a resilient dedication to variation and synchronicity. Gone are the experimental textures that hindered past efforts, replaced instead by more of the most solid riff assaults and breakdowns the band has ever created. As catchy and to the point as it is, all of the foundational elements of the band remain intact. We still get the crazy dance beat change-ups, the soft piano interludes, and the sweet vocal harmonies provided by Jo Enckell. Lord K goes above and beyond as always, this time taking on bass duties on top of his magnitude of other skills. Anders Bertilsson takes over guitar for Petter S. Freed, and exceeds expectations with some of the freshest material a fan could hope for. Also, Thomas Ohlsson steps in for Mojjo on drums, keeping the orchestral legitimacy alive within the band. The real standout additions to the album are the haunting solos delivered by guest musicians Mike Weed, Par Fransson, and Henry Pyykko - finally stretching the authenticity of the satanic atmosphere far beyond those heard in previous works. There are a number of amazing guest vocal talents as well, proving that this epic masterpiece is truly worthy of attention. To top it all off, Dan Swano fans will be pleased to know that he lent his experience towards the mix.

These tracks thrive on intensity. Aside from an epilogue of sorts on the first track, there is absolutely no filler here. Every momentary silence precedes a climax of headbanging craziness, and everything else urges you to, well, go break crosses or something. "You Come To Me Through Hell" is the highlight of highlight tracks, while "The Locust Principles" has the single most memorable riff of the album.

Fans of the HATE will simply love this album. It promises a great many things for their future, and best of all, ensures that after all these years they still refuse to aim for anything but the best. Whether you're a fan of their past work or not, this is a release for any Death Metal fan seeking new music with a dedication to musicianship and quality production. Without a doubt, "The Lustrate Process" is a top contender for THE Metal experience of 2009.