Hate Forest
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Roman Saenko |
| Defunct | 2007 |
| Fate | Disbanded; reformed in 2020 |
| Headquarters | Kharkiv , Ukraine |
Key people | Roman Saenko, Thurios |
| Products | Black metal music albums and EPs |
| Website | https://myspace.com/hateforest |
Hate Forest is a black metal group from Ukraine, established by Roman Saenko, who also fronts bands such as Drudkh, Dark Ages, and Blood of Kingu. Thurios became a member in 1998 following the completion of the Scythia album. Their sound is characterized by rapid tempos interspersed with slower segments, guttural distorted vocals, unpolished lo-fi production, and occasionally utilizes programmed drums—though a live drummer performs during concerts. Some releases incorporate dark ambient influences, with certain works being purely dark ambient. Drawing inspiration from Scandinavian black metal and classic death metal bands like Bolt Thrower (whose track "Cenotaph" they have covered), their lyrics predominantly explore mythological themes, especially Slavic folklore, while also reflecting the ideas of H. P. Lovecraft and Friedrich Nietzsche. The band has maintained a deliberate low profile by refraining from interviews and publicity photos, thereby distancing themselves from the typical black metal community. After disbanding, Saenko shifted his focus to Drudkh and other ventures including Blood of Kingu, Windswept, and Precambrian. Following a break lasting 16 years, Hate Forest reemerged in 2020 with the release of Hour of the Centaur, continuing to produce albums and EPs.
Current lineup
- Roman Saenko (also associated with Drudkh, Blood of Kingu, Dark Ages) – Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, drum programming
Former members
- Khaoth – live drums (2001)
- Alzeth – guitar (1998–1999, 2002; previously in Dark Ages)
- Roman Novik – live bass (2000–2001)
- Thurios (also part of Drudkh, Blood of Kingu, Astrofaes) – vocals, guitar (1995–2004; live performance in 2002)
Studio albums
- Scythia (1999; released through Beverina / Pussy God / Ancient Nation / Noble Wolves / Blutreinheit / Osmose / Back on Black / Dread)
- The Curse (2000; Nawia / Kolovrat / Hammer of Damnation / Galgenstrang / Funeral / Werewolf)
- The Most Ancient Ones (2001; Supernal / Northern Heritage / Osmose / Back on Black / The True Neverdead / Dread)
- Purity (2003; Supernal / Slavonic Metal / Blut & Eisen / Osmose / Back on Black / The True Neverdead / Dread)
- Battlefields (2003; Supernal / Slavonic Metal / Blut & Eisen / Osmose / Back on Black / Darker Than Black / Dread)
- Sorrow (2005; Supernal / Soldats Inconnus / Totenkopf Propaganda / Back on Black / Osmose / Darker Than Black / Dread)
- Those Once Mighty Fallen split with Ildjarn (2013; Osmose / Darker Than Black / War Arts)
- Hour of the Centaur (2020; Osmose / Black Metal Store)
- Innermost (2022; Osmose / Black Metal Store)
Compilation albums
- Blood & Fire / Ritual (2001; Red Stream)
- To Those Who Came Before Us (2002; Night Birds)
- To Twilight Thickets (2003; Blutreinheit / Soldats Inconnus / Elegy)
- Nietzscheism (2005; Supernal / Primitive Reaction / Osmose / Darker Than Black)
- Dead But Dreaming (2009; Primitive Reaction / Werewolf / Darker Than Black)
- Celestial Wanderer / Sowing with Salt (2023; Osmose)
EPs
- Darkness (2000, Miriquidi / City of the Dead)
- Blood & Fire (2001, Sombre)
- Ritual (2001, Miriquidi / City of the Dead)
- The Gates (2001, Miriquidi / City of the Dead / Elegy / Soldats Inconnus / Funeral / Galgenstrang / Hammer of Damnation / Those Opposed)
- Resistance (2004, Ledo Takas / Werewolf)
- Temple Forest (2007, Hammer of Damnation / Galgenstrang / Funeral)
- Grief of the Universe/Spinning Galaxies split with Legion of Doom (2008, Zyklon-B)
- Celestial Wanderer (2020, Osmose)
- Sowing with Salt (2023, Osmose)
- Justice (2024, Osmose)