Hatebreed - Perseverance
2002 No Name/Universal Records
by Skin Splitter

Quick Summary:
The five members of Hatebreed, from Connecticut, had been a staple in the underground hardcore scene for a long time.  Being the only hardcore band in that time to sell 100,000 albums, someone had to know that their next release was going to be big. That release was called Perseverance.  A hard hitting hardcore force that just causes you to thrash about and look for fights.  Plain and simple.

This was done by three things, an influence, a singer, and a band.  The influence, September 11th.  The singer, Jamey Jasta.  A man that is hardcore all the way through and a voice that just demands respect.  Not only that, but you can hear every word he is saying and take it to heart.  For those of you who never think you have enough courage, this is the stuff to listen to.  It almost makes you get off your ass and do something about your situation.  Combine that with a band that doesn't try to do anything fancy but instead lays down hard hitting slow 4/4 time that causes someone to either rock their head back slowly or punch the air (face) with every beat.  The production value of this album was really enhanced from their last release (Satisfaction Is The Death Of Desire) and musically they enhanced their timing skills to create either fast songs or slow ones.  This may not be true hardcore but it fits close enough (and short enough only being 39 minuets tops).  The only thing that I can compare this to is to think of Biohazard's Punishment and trade Chaz for Goldberg (if you don't know what Goldberg sounds like, think of the sound a grizzly would make if you suddenly decided to try and kick it's ass).

Website:  www.hatebreed.com

Song Summaries:

1. Proven - Kicked my ass right out of the gate.  Fast, and then into pit swinging fun.  At 1:35, that's when the song takes a deeper slower sound.  Then right after at 2:00 it's pure fight music.  A
2. Perseverance - Typical Hatebreed sound and beat.  Nothing too special here.  Not a bad song but not one to put on a Hatebreed mix.  B-
3. You're Never Alone - Great lyrics but the music is more for filler.  At 2:44, get back into the pit and smash someone in.  C+
4. I Will Be Heard - The song that made them famous.  It's a good song but not a good representation of what Hatebreed can deliver.  Still getting 15 people to chant "I will be heard" and Jasta grunting it into your skull can't be that bad.  B
5. A Call For Blood - Best song on the album.  This is what Hatebreed is.  Fantastic lyrics, brutal riffs, this is a pure pit song.  Also a song that you can live your life to.  Get up and fight for yourself because no else will.  A+
6. Below The Bottom - More pure hardcore sound.  Punch fun :56 seconds in.  B
7. We Still Fight - Little faster and more upbeat, but the song itself is straight forward and a little boring.  If you like the vocals and the lyrics feel free to listen, but I usually skip it.  C-
8. Unloved - A continuation of "We Still Fight".  Great lyrics and tone, but it would be tough to pit to until 1:58.  B-
9. Bloodsoaked Memories - Slow and very low sounding.  Almost like a goth sound.  It's o.k.  C
10. Hollow Ground - Continues from "Bloodsoaked Memories".  Once again great lyrics and a little bit more musical chance saves this one.  B
11. Final Prayer - Jamey and Kerry King (Slayer) work on this one and come up with a gem.  Fun to listen to with Hatebreed's hardcore sound and King's solos.  B+
12. Smash Your Enemies - Nice and slow song to pit to.  Jasta once again with great lyrics and vocal sound.  At :56 it gets fast and brutal.  B
13. Healing To Suffer Again - Straight up slow pit song.  It goes just fast enough to get people into the mood to swing at each other.  A-
14. Judgment Strikes (Unbreakable) - Fast, upbeat song until the chorus just knocks you down with the tempo change.  B-
15. Remain Nameless - Another song to live your life to (if there is one thing in this world that I must do it is prove you wrong).  Enough said.  Enjoy the pit if they ever play this one live.  A
16. Outro - Nothing but a closing riff.  It's a good one that I'm sure I we'll hear later.  B+

Average Song Rating:  B
Overall Album Rating:  A-

Also be sure to read:
Hatebreed - The Rise Of Brutality by Skin Splitter