It’s absurd that it took HATEBREED almost five years to put out a new album, but after listening to “Perseverance” it was obviously well worth the wait. I’m still not a fan of the overall “tough-guy image” that this band manages to exhude more often than not, but I can’t deny how strong of a metallic hardcore disc this is, especially in lieu of their growing fanbase. Uncompromisingly heavy, strangely melodic, and well focused, HATEBREED have released an album that does nothing but flatten the listener into a indefendable pile of mush. Whereas “Satisfaction is the Death of Your Desire” seemed like a compendium of short bits of breakdowns, mosh parts and the occasional sing-along, “Perseverance” exhibits a much fuller songwriting style, where song development actually exists and a few tracks even come out with a chorus. The obvious call for arms here is the single, “I Will Be Heard,” where these guys come off as a band paying homage to SICK OF IT ALL. With it’s bouncy approach and truly awesome vocals, this is a song that will be able to command everyone in the audience to sing along, word for word. HATEBREED is still not a posicore band, but “Perseverance,” like the title suggests presents lyrical matter in a mostly inspiring light. Confronting isolation in “You’re Never Alone,” and paying tribute to our veterans in “We Still Fight,” show these guys to be far more multi-dimensional than their lackluster momments of rage like “A Call For Blood.” SLAYER’s Kerry King makes a guest appearance on “Smash Your Enemies” and his brillant guitarwork corresponds well with the band’s unbridled aggression. It took me a little time to warm up to the production style (Matt Hyde) of “Perserverance” but now I’m completely infatuated by it. The guitars completely pummel – there’s few feelings that dare to come close to the power of some of the breakdowns on here. Floorshaking would be an understatement. My subwoofer seemed like it was gasping for air after repeatedly getting a beatdown from the intense double-bass work. Most important however is how high in the mix Jamey Jasta’s vocal’s are. Jasta’s vocal dynamics are far improved from his earlier work, and his screaming/singing/growling (or common “AWWWWWWWW ‘insert song title’”) approach is unexpectedly lucid. There’s no doubt that when Jasta speaks, people will listen. A few years back, I never would have considered a HATEBREED release as something that belonged in the stereos of all those who appreciate hardcore, but “Perseverance” is nothing short of brutal.

Universal/Stillborn

www.hatebreed.com