Sweden’s Sister brings us their first full length album for Metal Blade Records called Hatred. It is amazing that while so many people have focused on the “Gothenburg Sound”, which offers a mix between death metal and NWOBHM, that a lot of people have not realized that bands similar to Sister have been alive and well in Sweeden all of these years. As a matter of fact, this movement has already been deemed NWOSSM or the New Wave Of Swedish Sleaze Metal.

Sister brings you a lot of the same sleeze rock/metal that was arguably most influenced by Hanoi Rocks, but made popular by 80s Sunset Strip bands. When listening to Hatred I could see direct parallels between this album, early Skid Row, L.A. Guns, and other bands that made it big towards the end of the 80s. Lead singer Jamie also sounds very similar to fellow Swede Tim Skold who although is best known for his work with Marilyn Manson and KMFDM, was once the lead singer and bass player in Shotgun Messiah.

Standout tracks for me include the first single and video Body Blow, Bullshit & Backstabbing, and the title track Hated. Although nothing new is brought to the table, the album is good, and is recommended to anyone that enjoys any of the bands mentioned above.

Although the album does contain an obligatory ballad, Would You Love A Creature, it is mostly filled with that same punk influenced hard rock that helped make some of those 80s albums I alluded to memorable. Nothing new is brought to the table on this album, but that does not take away from the fact that certain aspects are entertaining.

Grade: B-

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