Review: Hell’s Enemy – Memento Mori
Somehow I’ve missed this band – but better late than never. Hell’s Enemy is a solo extreme metal project masterminded by Frederick Blauer (also of Great Helm and Lost Age) that spans a massive gamut of styles. Informed by the artist’s Roman Catholic convictions and faith, Hell’s Enemy has thus far released five albums and eleven singles and EP’s – and believe it or not, this project has only been around since 2024! Not only that, but the project seems to have taken a cue from Living Sacrifice in its chameleon-like shifting between a virtual buffet table of extreme metal styles. With Hell’s Enemy, you’ll hear everything from blackened death metal, deathcore/slam, atmospheric black metal, dungeon synth, metalcore, melodic death metal, thrash, classic heavy metal and everything in between. Clearly, not only does this guy love God, he also loves his metal. There’s something for everyone with this band, and that’s an understatement. Here, I’ve approached the buffet table and helped myself to his band’s latest release, the EP entitled Memento Mori.
If you found yourself digging the latest sounds of what I’ve been terming the “new wave of Christian death metal” being spearheaded by bands like Come to Pass, King’s Hammer, Burial Extraction, Dying Flesh, Implement, In Conquered and Endless Sacrifice, you are going to love this little gem of old-school death metal.
Everything about Hell’s Enemy’s approach here seems tailor-made to appeal to fans of modern OSDM. While the first two tracks, “False God” and “Reign in Hell” channel the ferocity of early Mortification, Hell’s Enemy also brings its music into the contemporary era with “Memento Mori,” a slower stomper of a track reminiscent of Gatecreeper’s Deserted album.
It’s short but sweet, and very worth checking out. Just keep in mind that Hell’s Enemy is an act that refuses to simply settle into any one stylistic box; you frankly never know what you’re going to get with this band, but from what I’ve heard so far, I can definitely tell you that this act is one worth keeping a very close eye on. Look for more reviews of Hell’s Enemy in the future.
For Fans Of: Mortification (early), King’s Hammer, Burial Extraction, Gatecreeper, Undeath
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