Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 

Contests

 


Reviews



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.






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.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-05-18 23:23:00

    You're a troll right, Clean Sheets?

    Posted by CleanSheets on 2009-05-18 15:04:32

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

    Posted by Fuzzy on 2009-05-17 21:19:05

    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!

    Posted by slowstupidhungry on 2009-05-17 19:58:13

    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.

    Posted by wyzo on 2009-05-17 18:51:29

    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.

    Posted by ffwoodycooks on 2009-05-16 18:47:25
    My Score:

    "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!

    Posted by mattramone on 2009-05-16 16:13:57

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

    Posted by hairysteve on 2009-05-16 16:12:11

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

    Posted by RightLaneEnds on 2009-05-16 12:36:57

    Hatebreed. Hahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhaahahhaahahh ah!!

    hahhahahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahahaha!!!

    Posted by GreenVandal on 2009-05-15 21:41:57
    My Score:

    Oh jeez.

    ...

    That's all I got.

    Posted by Chadreligion on 2009-05-15 21:17:57

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

    Posted by scorpiondeathlock on 2009-05-15 18:55:23
    My Score:

    score is for gun violence in schools

    Posted by drewxfishy on 2009-05-15 18:05:51
    My Score:

    madball sounds exactly like hatebreed u say?
    uh oh

    Posted by xshoutoutx on 2009-05-15 17:52:26

    this is a horrible idea!

    Posted by Torgo on 2009-05-15 17:36:38

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

    Posted by slowstupidhungry on 2009-05-15 16:59:40

    "“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.

    Posted by Dante3000 on 2009-05-15 16:27:00

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

    © 1999-2009 Punknews.org • Terms of Use • Privacy • About • ISSN 1710-5366 • RSS RSS Icon