Some general impressions
The song 'I will be heard' was the first contact I ever had with Hatebreed. I heard it in a local club, and I liked the simple, but powerfull design of the song. The deep bass riff at the beginning, Jastas shouting, and only three different riffs overall in the song. I must confess, I was impressed. And curious, how the other material by Hatebredd would be. Said and done, I organised myself 'Persaverance'. The other songs are not that different. There are no real complicated songs, mostly Hatebreed stick to three riff arrangements. But what they lack in complexity, is made up by energy.
But regarding the lyrics, I was kinda suprised. Overall, the record gives 'a positive view', if you can call it so. Songs like 'Persaverance' and 'You're never alone' tell you not to give up, stay true to what is important to you, and believe in yourself. 'Below the bottom' is a song about friends changing in the negative way, and a call for them to change to the better again. This is somehow the general mood of the record. No 'People are ****, you should all die' stuff. (Though there is this one song, 'Call for blood'... ;))
The problem with music like this is always, that it can sound very repeatitive. But Hatebreed did a good job on this record, to minimise this effect as much as possible. A guitar solo here ('Final Prayer'), slow and partly-muted intros that change into a fast paced guitar riff ('Smash your enemies') or long ringing distorted guitars entering a fast sprint to a slow sawing chorus ('Healing to suffer again') are just some examples for variations on the usual pattern.
What I really like about the album:
The power and energy of the energy still impress me. And it is no wonder to me, that the crowd at Hatebreed gigs goes mad. The lyrics are on topics that almost everybody can relate to. I like the positive attitude of songs like 'Persaverance', 'You're not alone' and 'I will be heard'. This is probably one of the records I listen to, when I have a bad day, and need some acoustic support.
What was not so good:
The problems of this record get obvious very soon. Because of the type of music, and the way Hatebreed chose to interpret it, it can get for some people boring I guess. I really like it. But the constant shouting of Jasta, with no or little variation, the somehow similar sounding riffs and song patterns can get boring for someone who is not really into this badn and/or music.
Summary:
Overall I demm this a great piece of music (at least inside it's genre). If you're in general open to Metalcore and Hardcore, you will have a lot of fun with this record IMO. People who are not directly into this kind of music will probably say it is boring and repetitive. Which is a good point, cause there is not that big variation in music and singing. But if you can look past that: Pick it up! :thumb:
My suggestions: I will be heard, Healing to suffer again, Below the bottom, Smash your enemies
Rating: 3-3.5/5 :)
