Great, just what we need - a rise of brutality. Connecticut's cuddliest sweethearts, Hatebreed, return to the metal/hardcore scene with guns a'blazin, intent on reclaiming their title of "most macho band in hardcore." With these twelve songs, I'd say they're a bit of a shoe-in.

This is hardcore at it's most basic and most intense. The guitars fly, the drums explode, and "singer" Jamey Jasta intimidates with each word growled. With song titles like "Doomsayer," "Another Day, Another Vendetta," and "Confide In No One," you can pretty much figure this stuff isn't that of indie shoegazer pop. Hatebreed is a hardcore band, with no other gimmicks needed.

That being said, this CD is like 32 minutes of white noise to me. Contrary to popular belief, I do like some hardcore, but it has to challenge me while I listen to it. Everything on this album, as powerful as it is [and I won't lie, my head starts to bang in some of the heavier parts on this disc, like the end of "Facing What Consumes You"] is still rather paint-by-numbers. Hatebreed is often imitated, as they are one of the originators of this wave of hardcore, but the problem lies that instead of challenging the bands that copy them and re-invent their sound [or at least try to spice it up a little], the group is content cranking out the same ol', same ol'.

Even with my complaint, I would still recommend this to anyone I know that listens to real hardcore. It's a defining album for the band and their fans alike.

MP3s
Live For This
Doomsayer
This Is Now