Built on foundations of unity, strength and loyalty repentance can also often be a subject matter approached within underdog of the musical sub genres, Hardcore. Inviting you into their chambers Hatebreed begin their latest unabashed chapter inviting you to look into the minds eye of guilt, aggression and honesty. Welcome to The Concrete Confessional.
[tracklist]
- A.D.
- Looking Down The Barrel Of Today
- Seven Enemies
- In The Walls
- From Grace We Have Fallen
- Us Against Us
- Something’s Off
- Remember When
- Slaughtered In Their Dreams
- The Apex Within
- Walking The Knife
- Dissonance
- Serve Your Masters
[/tracklist][details]
[length]36:00[/length]
[record_label]Nuclear Blast Records[/record_label]
[release_date]May 13th 2016[/release_date]
[/details]
As the shutter door comes down we’re forcefully transported into the America damning “A.D.” Jasta’s instantly recognisable cries once again rally the down trodden. Despite its venom in delivery the likes of “Looking Down The Barrel Of Today” are actually spilling over with a positive message of course put together in a tough love package. Lyrically Hatebreed appeal to the everyday, having easy to understand, well punctuated lyrics makes for a key to their incendiary live shows. Tackling anxiety after the bass intro from Chris Beattie “Somethings Off” sees some of singers best lyrical pieces whilst also featuring a small amount of well placed singing, to be followed up the breeze block “Remember When” one of the album’s more Thrash oriented songs.
Production is spot on with The Concrete Confessional with each riff hitting just as hard as the last. Turning attention to religion and it’s casualties “Slaughtered In Their Dreams” sees Jasta point his gravel ridden voice towards a more political stand point. Though material could be seem as stagnant, the energy felt throughout the record translates from their lives shows. Using simple but effective imagery the likes of “The Apex Within” sees the classic wolves in sheeps clothing metaphor come to light. Quite what the recipe is that Jasta put together to create his unmistakable vocal style is somewhat of a wonder.
Like a kiss from the proverbial knuckle that is “Walking The Knife“, The Concrete Confessional brings elements from the band’s lauded back catalogue to the fore. Whilst also experimenting ever so slightly, the inclusion of blast beats, more thrash oriented chords and even sporadic singing. Nevertheless Hatebreed still do what they do best, standout “From Grace We’ve Fallen” and curb stomping “In The Walls” to retain the girder weighted chords from Wayne Lozinak and Frank Novinec with fantastic progression in rhythm from drummer Matt Byrne. Thriving on hate our heroes deliver yet another fantastic record. A call to arms to those who are subjugated, a banishment of negativity and most importantly an uncompromising record, quite no one does it like Hatebreed. And who else better to make America (truly) great again.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Unyielding in their passion, Hatebreed have returned with an album that will sit with their classic material. Modern themes, experimentation and all important groove make The Concrete Confessional a perfect compromise of honsety and agression.[/why]
If you like what you read / heard then you can pick up the brand new album here!
