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When the Hope Conspiracy released the Hang Your Cross 7" EP earlier this summer, the band made sure their fans knew nothing had been lost in the band’s ability to write crushing and aggressive hardcore.

What was refreshing about it was that in its short duration, it managed to stand out amongst its contemporaries. Death Knows Your Name is an exceptional release by most standards. Unfortunately, by the Hope Conspiracy’s standards, it finishes with less than perfect results. Had this release carried the name of most modern hardcore albums, it would have been noted as a remarkable exception to the status quo, but it wasn’t recorded by any other band -- it was recorded by the Hope Conspiracy.

Make no mistake, the Hope Conspiracy still stand out in a scene of cookie cutter drones. When compared with their peers in modern hardcore, they’re at the top of their class. Death Knows Your Name pummels through its 11 tracks in just over 30 minutes, at most time leaving the listener with little time to do so much as catch their breath during the occasions in which the tempo is slowed -- which isn’t very often.

What’s unfortunate is that on more than a few occasions while working through Death Knows Your Name you’re bound to ask yourself, “Hasn’t this been done on an earlier song?” Perhaps what was so refreshing about Hang Your Cross (besides the band’s return) was that it didn’t have time to repeat itself.

On tracks like "So Many Pigs So Few Bullets," there’s no other band I’d rather be listening to -- of any genre. The album’s opening song, "They Know You Not," displays the Hope Conspiracy’s fantastic ability to blend a battering ram of rhythm with a somehow harmonious undertone. Had the band been able to carry the aggression and somewhat perverted melody through the rest of the album without sometimes becoming noticeably unfocused, this could have been the album of the year. Kevin Baker’s vocals are as vicious and worthy of a last breath as ever, and it’s great to have him back with these musicians, despite the quality of the Bars’ album.

With every bit of confidence standing in this site’s review of Hang Your Cross, perhaps it would have been better for the Hope Conspiracy to release an EP and hold off on the full-length for a while and maybe take some time on the road to ripen their aggression.

The Hope Conspiracy may be the most reluctant of heroes, but they had people holding their breath for this album. While it’s no doubt worth picking up, it’s simply not perfect, and perfect is what their fans were hoping for. But I don’t want to end this review on a negative note. Death Knows Your Name stands out amongst this year’s hardcore albums and I’m sure that when 2007 rolls around, we’re going to wish more hardcore albums carried the same integrity and substance as this does.



People who liked this also liked:
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    Posted by NoSpace on 2008-07-18 17:31:49
    My Score:

    such a great record, suicide design is a fantastic song

    Posted by NoSpace on 2008-07-18 17:29:29
    My Score:

    such a great record, suicide design is a fantastic song

    Posted by Kursk on 2007-06-27 07:36:32
    My Score:

    I just started listening to this again since the first few months since it came out last year and all I can say is wow. Not only is this their best release to date, but probably the best hardcore album of the last decade. This band always stood out from the rank and file bro hardcore breakdown bullshit overwhelming hardcore these days and this release on further cements their status as something so much more. I give it a 9.5/10 and thats because I would have rather heard the song Stolen Days going out with a bang to finish the album as opposed to slowly winding down.

    Posted by darwingivingin on 2007-03-31 16:42:55

    when i first heard this band so long ago one term came to mind:

    pissed off.

    this is what sheer, punching until ones knuckles bleed through flesh sounds like.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 1, 2006 at 9:26 PM (EDT)

    This is possibly Hope Cons best release yet. The person who reviewed this is a complete retard. It seems every album is more intelligent than the last, heading more down the track of bands like Suicide File and Modern life is War. This is defiantly a Deathwish sounding realease. Any fan of modern hardcore needs to check this out.

    Joshua Heights

    Posted by BrandonSideleau on 2006-09-21 12:08:28

    This band reminds me a little bit of the Laughing Hyenas (John Brannon's post-NA band). Mainly because the singer's screaming resembles Brannons.....although nobody really compares to Brannon.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 6:40 PM (EDT)

    too many people worrying about what type of hardcore this is. heavy and melodic, next. this cd fucking rules.

    Posted by tenwestchaser on 2006-09-20 17:34:17

    "What do they really sound like? When I see the word "hardcore" in the first paragraph I am always turned off. How much hardcore punk can a person really listen to?"

    The HopeCon are not really hardcore punk. That would be Comeback Kid, With Honor, Bane etc. HopeCon are more like "Hardcore Rock n' Roll" if that means anything to you. That's the best I have for you right now I'm tired.

    Posted by arrhythmia on 2006-09-20 16:13:33

    the name of this band reminds me of all these little kids wacking off to miniture jesus figurines

    Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2006-09-20 15:29:26

    Am I the only one here sick of the overload of hardcore reviews? What's to motivate me to check out a band that may possess the exact same qualities that lead me to listen to established, traditional, and more accessible hardcore acts? What makes this band something I should seek out? What do they really sound like? When I see the word "hardcore" in the first paragraph I am always turned off. How much hardcore punk can a person really listen to?

    I'm not shitting on the scene, i'm just posing questions.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 7:01 PM (EDT)

    sick record one of the best of the year

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 4:29 PM (EDT)

    i liked the bars record. not at first, but it grew on me big time.

    Posted by ozmanx on 2006-09-19 16:11:30
    My Score:

    From the handful of songs I already listened to, it's pretty solid.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 2:48 PM (EDT)

    "disappointing"

    youre an idiot.
    sorry there isnt boring mosh.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 1:58 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I HATE metalcore and nu-hardcore.....but I love this band........so sue me, not sure what it is about them but they remind me more of early hardcore than the new shit.

    Posted by skolarx on 2006-09-19 11:21:17

    i was really bummed out a couple of weeks ago when i talked to the guitar player and he said they won't be doing any touring on this album. they have been away long enough that they think they would just be starting over and don't think its worth it apparently. they were a really intense live show and from what i've heard, the new album is better than any of the older stuff. oh well i guess, you win some, you lose some

    Posted by tenwestchaser on 2006-09-19 10:52:34

    For some strange reason FYE had this about two weeks ago and I picked it up. It just didnt have the same bite that Coldblue or Endnote had that I really loved. Little bit more of Bars in here. Oh well, its growing on me.

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2006-09-19 09:19:00
    My Score:

    Currently in my top 3 of 2006.

    Posted by Bosco on 2006-09-19 08:29:06
    My Score:

    This album is amazing, probably my favorite hardcore release of the year. The songs are less straight-up hardcore, with a rock-metal tinge to them that worked really well with Bars, and works even better with Hope Con.

    I can't think of many hardcore albums released this year that can compare, if the new Converge doesn't top this, I don't think anything will.

    Posted by almostpunkenough on 2006-09-19 04:01:14
    My Score:

    really good, but not quite what i was hoping for. it lulls a tiny bit too much from time to time, but some parts are just incredibly fucking heavy and cool.

    Posted by LeightonESmith on 2006-09-19 02:25:49
    My Score:

    disappointing

    Posted by kevin_hare on 2006-09-19 01:24:45

    I think this is their best work yet.

    The opening track is awesome.

    Posted by maverick on 2006-09-19 00:19:47
    My Score:

    HOLY JESUS FUCK THIS ALBUM RULES.

    Easily in my year-end Top 10.

    -Scott

    Posted by inagreendase on 2006-09-19 00:10:46
    My Score:

    This is the first proper full-length from Deathwish of 2006 I liked. It should not have taken near that long! (Though the teaser EP was good, My Love, My Way is obviously great, and I'm looking forward to the Life Long Tragedy stuff.)

    Posted by mattp330 on 2006-09-19 00:09:47

    ill review the matches right here for you "it fucking sucks, just like their other album" no stars

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 12:06 AM (EDT)

    review the matches

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