Metal Underground.com

If I had to guess the next Italian band that crossed my desk for review, chances are good that it would have been steeped in symphonic/euro-power waters. However, when guitarist Marco Pastorino isn’t playing such styles with the likes of Secret Sphere and Bejelit, he finds his inner melodic metalcore through HateTyler. It’s not entirely fair to label this band anything for it absorbs so many styles of heavy music including some melodic core, bits of thrash, lots of Pantera groove, and progressive metal. The title of the debut, “The Great Architect,” only foreshadows the blending of styles that went into the construction of what is HateTyler. The result is a refreshing hybrid tower of energy bursting with brilliant guitar work that leaves an indelible mark in the world of heavy music. For those desiring a melting pot of metal with a harsh jagged edge, “The Great Architect” is the album for you.

I'll admit that the likes of Killswitch Engage and Emmure usually leave me on the precipice of a megrim, but the vocal duo of Stefano Oliva and Pastorino present a balanced mix of harsh core-like vocals with beautiful rough edge melodic outbreaks...just enough to stave off any pain. However, it’s Pastorino’s guitar which wins the day. With as much melody, emotion, and feeling as I ever heard from him in any of his other bands, Marco’s brilliant play alongside Federico Maraucci certainly doesn't pigeon hole HateTyler into the usual expectations that come with a “core” tag. Sure, there are outbursts of choked up riffs and serrated vocals, but the majority of this album is masterfully played with melody at its “core.” This is music that makes you want to jump up, headbang, and do some damage, but it also makes one stand in awe at guitar driven prowess.

As “The Great Architect” flows from song to song, the transformations become more and more apparent. Over the first half, listeners will find tracks like “Devil Park,” “HateTyler,” and “Stop Me” are distinctively seasoned with a feel of “Killswitch Engage shoved up the cul-de-sac of Parkway Drive.” By the time you get to “Need to Hate You” the riffs are fuller and thrashier and the vocals lean towards clean. “Inferno” completely changes the album, with blazing rapid blast beats morphing briefly into Voivod-esque riffs before quickly leveling off to an opulent and lavishly crushing groove that is as catchy as I’ve ever heard. Once again the solo work steals the win. “Welcome to Tortuga” starts the trend back to the original feel and the title track rounds everything out and brings it full circle.

In my youth, I would have certainly dismissed “The Great Architect” invoking my old “core at first sight” clause. Fortunately, age and wisdom has brought tolerance and acceptance and I did not deprive myself of many enjoyable listens to an album that deserves serious attention from all fans of metal. There is so much more at work here: if for nothing else, the guitar work dazzles, the riffs crush, and the melody is intact. HateTyler will not find any fans from the solidly power, nor from the solidly core, but from those who dare to dwell in the demilitarized middle ground where anything goes and the only thing that matters is good music.