Punknews.org

|
Sign In | create an account

Hatebreed

For the Lions (2009)
E1 Music

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Torgo
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on May 15th 2009

One may think Hatebreed doing a covers album that ranges from bands that are much more talented than they are (Metallica) to bands that sound exactly like them (Madball) would probably be an unmitigated disaster. What it ended up being is half-charming tribute album and, of course, half-unmitigated disaster.

They delayed its release to add more covers, so you know their heart is in the right place. However, one problem with the record is that, at 18 songs, it’s about four covers too long. They don’t exactly Hatebreedize every song, but you can make the argument that with Jamey Jasta’s distinct, monotone vocals all of the songs have been, uh, Hatebred.

And therein lies the problem with about half the covers -- not the band’s capability of playing something like Slayer, but Jamey Jasta’s limited vocal ability hindering many of the songs. Most obvious is “Supertouch/Shitfit” by Bad Brains. I’m sure some of you who read that sentence imagined what it sounds like and laughed to themself. The band does a fine job giving it a metal edge but Jamey just can’t handle HR’s speed; the vocals sound choppy from having to digitally overlap the ends of some couplets to the beginning of the next just so Jamey can keep up with the speed. Another joke is the chorus of “Escape” by Metallica, where James Hetfield actually sings the chorus (uh oh!), this sounds like they put Hetfield’s voice from the original into this version for those sections. Is that Jamey even singing?

“Thirsty and Miserable” by Black Flag, “It's the Limit” by Cro-Mags and “Sick of Talk” by Negative Approach are prime examples of where this album goes right: faithful but more aggressive and with high-quality drumming. Of course, they covered “Hatebreeders” by the Misfits and it’s a total romp; the mass of guys in wifebeaters and camo shorts doing the gang vocals to the over-the-top “whoa-oh"s must have been an interesting sight in the studio.

Hatebreed deserve credit for not picking obvious songs in any of these band’s discographies. You wouldn't take any of these versions over their originals, but the more memorable renderings like “Refuse-Resist” by Sepultura and “Evil Minds” by D.R.I. should get more spins in the future. Yet, at 48 minutes you’d wish Hatebreed did a little more with these covers, especially to cater to Jasta’s vocals. Maybe slow down a song? Possibly? Eh, who am I kidding.

Login to rate this album

Please login or register to post comments.

What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

maersk (November 9, 2010)

shitty band does halfassed covers.

uh oh, now DMS/FSU and all the other faggy "crews" who love this band are comming to get me!

mikexdude (May 18, 2009)

You're a troll right, Clean Sheets?

CleanSheets (May 18, 2009)

Isnt hatebreed a gay band? like they hate to breed? i dunno just wondering I guess im trying to say they are gay . hmmm

Fuzzy (May 17, 2009)

I fucking love Sepultura (Between Arise and when Max left) and they are actually the band that led me towards bands like Hatebreed. And then I promptly broke the Hatebreed CD I had purchased. It wasn't until years later that I found out that this shitty metal band was in fact a "legendary" hardcore band.

Boo-urns. Crapcore!

slowstupidhungry (May 17, 2009)

Uh, Hatebreed never were nor claimed to be straight edge.

They suck, but I don't understand why people here seem to assume that just because a band doesn't play pop punk or indie rock, they are straight edge. I see the same thing in Terror threads.

wyzo (May 17, 2009)

I'm glad they shorted the title down from "for the lions we saw at the NYC zoo because we all live in stereotypical urban areas and wouldn't know the first thing about the natural world or its upkeep, up the punks!!" *

-w

* sXe is not an ecosystem, sorry.

ffwoodycooks (May 16, 2009)

"If this album was a chick I've slept with, it'd be one that shops at Torrid and has a lazy eye."

Dont talk about your better half like that. shes patient with you.

"this is a horrible idea!"

What is....the thing your dad said halfway through consumating you?

"madball sounds exactly like hatebreed u say?
uh oh"

which one of those bands is the last of the diehards?

"People who listen to albums like this don't sleep with anyone but their right hand."

Matt, i didnt know you like hatebreed!

mattramone (May 16, 2009)

People who listen to albums like this don't sleep with anyone but their right hand.

hairysteve (May 16, 2009)

If this album was a chick I slept with it would be Dante.

RightLaneEnds (May 16, 2009)

Hatebreed. Hahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhaahahhaahahh ah!!

hahhahahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahahaha!!!

GreenVandal (May 15, 2009)

Oh jeez.

...

That's all I got.

Chadreligion (May 15, 2009)

I would never have dated this album if it was a chick, but I would probably let it blow me

scorpiondeathlock (May 15, 2009)

score is for gun violence in schools

drewxfishy (May 15, 2009)

madball sounds exactly like hatebreed u say?
uh oh

xshoutoutx (May 15, 2009)

this is a horrible idea!

Torgo (May 15, 2009)

I didn't say better drumming, I'm saying those were examples where the fast drumming/more fills were appropriate.

slowstupidhungry (May 15, 2009)

"“Thirsty and Miserable” by Black Flag, “It's the Limit” by Cro-Mags and “Sick of Talk” by Negative Approach are prime examples of where this album goes right: faithful but more aggressive and with high-quality drumming."

Down-tuned guitars and mosh metal vocals does not equal "more aggressive," and the drummers for all of those bands were fucking awesome.

Dante3000 (May 15, 2009)

If this album was a chick I've slept with, it'd be one that shops at Torrid and has a lazy eye.
-Dante