:: Hatebreed - Hatebreed

Hatebreed

In a lot of ways, Connecticut act Hatebreed is the metallic hardcore equivalent to Slayer within the thrash metal scene. With every new album, you know what you’re getting yourself in for, with very little in the way of experimentation from the already proven formula evident from the band. But with the release of their covers album ‘For The Lions’ earlier in the year, Hatebreed managed to shake things up a little, and in the process took many by surprise with the subtle changes heard within their sound. Now returning with their brand new self-titled studio album, Hatebreed have taken their experimentation one step further, with their sixth studio outing a welcome twist to the band’s trademark sound of old. Within moments of the unleashed fury of ‘Become The Fuse’, it’s clear that the band have fully embraced the metallic influence within their sound, with the guitars taking on a more rhythmic groove, all the while packing a seriously heavy punch. All in all, this is one killer opening track, and one that’s sure to become a live favourite. Both ‘Not My Master’ and the Slayer sounding ‘Between Hell And A Heartbeat’ are catchy anthems that could have easily slotted on Hatebreed’s last couple of efforts, but it’s on the first single/promotional video clip ‘In Ashes They Shall Reap’ and ‘Hands Of A Dying Man’ where Hatebreed once again play around with their songwriting formula. Although the changes are small, they’re enough to really make the songs stand out in a major way. Elsewhere, tracks such as the chugging/gang vocalised ‘Through the Thorns’, the catchy ‘Every Lasting Scar’, the short and biting brutality of ‘As Damaged As Me’, the instrumental ‘Undiminished’ and the fast paced ‘Merciless Tide’ represent the stronger efforts on the second half on the album. Hatebreed haven’t been known for their variation or their huge changes of direction from album to album. But on their latest effort, Hatebreed have delivered something a little different, and it has worked a charm. Hatebreed have never been a band that has letdown fans with their studio output, and this latest effort lives up to its promise. But in terms of sheer enjoyment, this is easily one of the band’s strongest and more memorable releases in a long time.