Hatebreed - The Rise Of Brutality
2003 No Name/Universal Records
by Skin Splitter

Quick Summary:
With Perseverance secured tightly under their belt as well as touring non-stop, Hatebreed somehow came up with a new album.  This was also done with the loss of one guitarist.  The question is, would this album be as good as or better than Perseverance?  The answer is no.

Jasta and the band once again use their signature sound.  Jasta's vocal style and lyrics are great as usual and this time really makes you feel like you should never attempt to piss him off because he will mess you up.  Plus, the rest of the band is playing as tight as ever but something just seems to be missing from this album.  It can only be described as the "energy".  It's just not as raw as Perseverance was.  Not only that, but half of the album makes you think and feel of all the "fun" things you could do to your best friend if you caught him with your girl.  On the other hand, the rest of the album would be something like finding your best friend with your girl and YOU apologizing for walking in on them!  The end result, the first half of the album rocks, but the rest of it just seems like filler.

Website:  www.hatebreed.com

Song Summaries:

1. Tear It Down - The same riff from the "outro" of Perseverance was used here.  It's short, to the point and a good start.  A- 
2. Straight To Your Face - Hatebreed style with 15 people singing along.  Think of a downtuned Dropkick Murphy's song with a Grizzly as a singer and angry lyrics.  B- 
3. Facing What Consumes You - Good lyrics, something about the chorus catches my attention every time.  "Doubt me, hate me, you're the inspiration that I need".  Indeed.  Great outro.  A-
4. Live For This - Once again great lyrics and the chorus kicks my ass.  "Every drop of blood, every bitter tear, every bead of sweat, I live for this."  Wow.  A 
5. Doomsayer - Best song on the album.  If you like MTV (with the exception of an hour or two where they play MUSIC), Trading Spaces, Real World, or any of that other crap and you hear this song from the car next to you.  It's all about you and they don't like you.  "I'll be your doomsayer, your doom awaits you."  A+ 
6. Another Day, Another Vendetta - Inspired from the band Sick of it All.  O.k. song, but after Doomsayer it just doesn't compare.  C 
7. A Lesson Lived Is A Lesson Learned - Once again another o.k. song but it just seems like filler.  C
8. Beholder Of Justice - Double bass is used a lot on this song and that makes it sound different but not that good.  However, at 1:47 the outro/breakdown is very impressive.  B-
9. This Is Now - Probably going to be their next single.  It's a good song and the first attempt after Doomsayer to not be filler.  This is now is the equivalent of "I Will be Heard" from Perseverance.  Still.  B+
10. Voice Of Contention - Jasta brings it once again.  A slower more meaningful song but one that just seems to lack something.  B-
11. Choose Or Be Chosen - Punk speed with a hardcore sound.  Not my favorite song style and the chorus is, dare I say it, lame.  C
12. Confide In No One - Somehow worse than the last song.  Completely avoidable except at 1:48 when the break down happens.  C-

Average Song Rating:  B
Overall Album Rating:  B-

Also be sure to read:
Hatebreed - Perseverance by Skin Splitter