If the local independent metal scene were to be compared to a soft drink vending machine, most of the beverage options would consist of diet sodas and Fresca. Sure, they may satisfy the timid mainstream thirst for thrash, but the flavor is often bland and absent of the intrinsic energy kick that separates fashionable imitators playing palatable formulaic faux-metal from the true believers who live, breathe, sweat and piss hardcore metal in every aspect of their lives.
Pennsylvania may be flooded with diet metal, but one notable exception is the harder-than-hardcore death metal act Scars of Hatred. The band’s musical concoction is meant to be chugged, a two-liter suicide mix of Red Bull, Jolt Cola, Vodka and the FDA-censored drug-free Cocaine Energy Drink, served up with a punch to the face. It’s auditory sadomasochism, a dichotomy of tight, rapid instrumentals and unpredictable apocalyptic vocals. Simply stated, this band is the real metal deal.
If thrashing, head-bashing metal is not your poison, or if Poison is your idea of metal, this band may literally frighten your musical sensibilities. Conversely, if a drunken mosh pit driven by the jagged accents of heavy guitar, loud growls and complex drum pounding sounds like heaven, Scars of Hatred’s pleasure-spiked wall of noise and outrageous onstage antics will delight.
“We are a straight-on, hardcore metal band that plays all original music. No compromise and no covers,” says guitarist Jamie Finkenbinder during an interview in the tattoo shop he owns and operates in Mechanicsburg. Finkenbinder is joined by fellow guitar player Steve Junkins and charismatic (typically blood-soaked) frontman Stew Chandler. “We are influenced by more underground metal, like Hatebreed and Killswitch [Engage], maybe even Slayer,” Finkenbinder adds.
“As far as my vocals go, I take after Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death,” follows Chandler, referring to a style consisting of low primal screams, hard consonants and lyrics that may be less comprehended than simply felt in the gut.
“Yeah, and don’t forget influences like Britney Spears, Tim McGraw, Christina Aguilera,” interjects Junkins with unblinking sarcasm while tattooing one of his clients across the chest. “Just with a more death metal sound, you know,” he grins. Like any great metal act, these guys have a self-deprecating sense of humor that keeps them from taking themselves too seriously. After all, metal is supposed to be theatrical and fun, not drab.
 Scars of Hatred formed in 2004 as a quintet, but the band has been reduced to a quartet for the time being. The band’s bassist recently left for personal reasons, but Finkenbinder and Junkins’ thick, raging riffs coupled with the pulsating double-bass of drummer Tony Blauch made the absence of bass guitar completely unnoticeable during a recent live show. Despite musical success minus the bass, the members are still working on replacing their bassist while continuing unabated with their tour.
 Scars of Hatred has been largely successful in its relentless mission to spread metal that’s in your face, direct and provocative of your inner rage. Constant touring and energy have led the band to large venues such as the Chameleon in Lancaster, the Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown and the Trocadero in Philadelphia. Without a completed album and only limited-release demo CDs available, the band members have had to rely on the pure strength of their live shows to showcase their tight musicianship and bizarre theatrics. Scars of Hatred’s unbending commitment to keep its music true to the genre has paid off, as the band has managed to play alongside some big-name acts in the metal world, including Metal Church and Mark Rizzo from Soulfly. The band has even snagged a management deal from Level Nine Entertainment, a respected management vehicle for fellow metal acts Ninetail and From Dissension. Despite all their success during their three-year tenure, Finkenbinder, Junkins, Chandler and Blauch remain rather humble about their increasing notoriety.   “I guess we must be doing something right,” says Junkins modestly, still concentrating on tattooing the silent stranger. “Word has spread fast based on our live shows, but it’s not like we have billboard advertising or radio friendly songs or anything.”
“Yeah, how did we get chosen for a feature article, anyway? It was our fashion and good looks, wasn’t it?” jokes the tattoo-covered, shaved-headed Chandler. His sense of humor is keen, as is the rest of the band’s.
 Scars of Hatred believes firmly in the metal tradition of building a live performance that is as much a part of the art as the music. Fans kept coming up before the recent performance, asking if Chandler was going to get “bloodied up” before the show. Unfortunately, the band was running low on time – and fake blood – that particular night, so the show would have to go on sans the dramatic gore get-up.
 Of course, the music was hard to the core. And the performance was dead-on. The band remained tight behind the steady screams coming from Chandler’s flailing body, even as he crawled on amps and threw himself off while violently banging his head to the endless stream of power chords. It was a top-notch performance despite the lack of make-up, but the band emphasizes that it’s rare to leave out the theatrics, and a videotaped performance I witnessed later demonstrates the added impact of the stage drama: Chandler, in his full stage regalia, complete with shirtless, blood-soaked body, appeared as if he would rather greet you with a punch in the stomach than a friendly handshake. Suffice it to say, it’s a sight worthy of the furious sound.
 “Fans and curious parties can hopefully expect a full studio album from us this fall, with about nine or 10 songs,” speculates Junkins, adding that although some tracks have been recorded, the band wants to make sure the songs are as polished as possible before releasing an album.
 Based on the two-song demo CD, it seems Scars of Hatred is on its way to creating a pure death metal experience with real substance. “Homicide” is a rage-infused track based on the murder of Chandler’s uncle, and “Wartime” spews heavy guitars and steady drums while Chandler screams for the public to respect our soldiers. Both songs were supposedly rough cuts, yet they sounded professional enough to be album quality.
For sample songs, info about upcoming shows and general mayhem, visit Scars of Hatred on MySpace at www.myspace.com/scarsofhatred. Rock on, and keep death metal alive.