Customer Reviews

Means to an End

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

it took Biohazard 10 years to make this album and let me tell you it was well worth the wait. Everyone knows that since Bobby left they have been making pretty good albums and questionable albums. This one will make you forget Bobby was even there. The riffs are classic Bio none of that dropped a tuning like on Kill or be Killed or the almost nu-metal on Uncivilization. These are the hardcore meets metal anthems that Bio was known for back in the day and they sound fresh and killer now in this musical landscape full of wanna be's. If you like Urban Discipline and State of The World Adress era 'hazard then do yourself a favor and pick up this gem of NYC hostility.

Most great bands spend their careers evolving. They will make albums which show the band's growth and maturity; they don't necessarily have to be experimental albums, but they are distinguishable form one another. Then, several albums later, the band comes full circle by making a "back to our roots" album--one which sounds like their earlier albums. Korn and Cypress Hill are two examples of this.

Biohazard, however, spent almost their whole career perfecting their rap-rock formula. Since their 1990 debut, they have tinkered with their sound very slightly--if at all. 2003's "Kill or Be Killed," which extinguished the hip-hop vocals, was Biohazard's first distinguishable album. But Biohazard's new album, this year's "Means to an End," re-adopts the hip-hop influence. This album brings this group back to their roots, and sounds like them circa 1992-1994. Unfortunately, I don't think this Brooklyn-based quartet evolved enough during their career to make a "back to basics" album. Thus,"Means to an End" doesn't bring Biohazard full circle; it's more of a retread. It's almost as if Evan Seinfeld and the gang said "Nuts to this, let's just make an updated version of `Urban Discipline.'"

On the other hand, this might be Biohazard's last album, so it's probably best for them to ride out on the horse they rode in on. Experimental albums could be a disaster for a band, and I don't think someone should end their career with an album that might suck. Thus, it's a wise move for Biohazard to make a back-to-bludgeoning-basics album.

Highlights include:

"My Life, My Way" has booming riffs and (what sounds like) a police siren. And, of course, a very Biohazard-esque shout-along refrain is also included.
"The Fire Burns Inside" has more heavy guitar work, but this song stands out because it has some Hatebreed-esque lyrics: "If you live for nothing, you'll never know why!"
"Filled with Hate" is a highlight because for its lumbering riffs (which almost groove in places), and it even has a guitar solo which is pretty long.
"Break It Away from Me" combines fast hand drumming with riffs which are almost fast enough to sound like a buzzsaw.
"Don't Stand Alone" is a personal favorite, because it might be this record's most aggressive track. The guitar and drum work (which is the fastest on the album) attack like rabid dogs, and lead vocalist Evan Seinfeld is foaming at the mouth with rage.

It's not a great album, but (from the loud riffs, to snarly, trade-off rapping, to concert ready shout-along choruses), "Means to an End" has every ingredient for a solid, trademark Biohazard album. No, it won't convert you if you never liked this band, but this album should definitely please all of Biohazard's fans. And, in the end, what more could you ask for?

This album has a "State Of The World Address" feel to it. If this indeed is their last album I'm glad they at least when back to the original Biohazard sound... Close to it anyway. But I'm not knocking any of their previous releases. Personally I think they are all worth picking up. I hope they change their mind and record some more material.

kicks ass that's all I can say, and I hope they don't stop making music.

Possibly the final album from the Brooklyn born and bred hardcore act Biohazard, "Means to an End" finds the band going back to their roots (as if they ever really left) with a more "Urban Discipline" and "State of the World Address"-era sound than on their previous releases on Sanctuary: 2001's "Uncivilization" and 2003's "Kill or Be Killed". It's a welcome refreshment to hear Evan Seinfeld and co. continuing doing what they've been doing for over a decade amid all the "metal-core" non-sense going on today, with anger fueled lyrics, growling vocals, and some of the most dynamic and heavy guitar work to come from the band in quite some time. Opening "My Life, My Way", "The Fire Burns Inside", "Filled With Hate", and "Don't Stand Alone" are pure, attacking anthems that carry the Biohazard banner, and while "Means to an End" doesn't quite stack up to classics like "Urban Discipline" or "State of the World Address", it's still a force to be reckoned with. If this is indeed the end of Biohazard, let it be known that throughout all the fads that have hit the metal world over the years, this band never compromised, and while they may have missed a step once or twice in a few other releases, they carried themselves all the way, they never forgot their roots, and they will still remain one of the most revered and terribly underrated bands in the history of the genre.

this cd brings them back full circle back to 94.they have they energy of years ago and the sound to go with it,this cd should have been released instead of mata leao(which sucked)the grooves,the hard breakdowns and the hard felt guitar solos are all back in the mix and in the right proportions.sadly bobby hambel was not on this release but it sounds a bit like he could have written some of the music,it's the reminacent of the old days(ST,dicsipline & world address.top 4 biohazard cds to have forget the rest!

this cd shouyld have followed state of the world addressbecause it's the original biohazard formula and ever other cd since has been seriously diminished potential since bobby was kicked out.after 12 plus years they finally return to the state of hardcore not experimenting to the point of- who is this again?sadly they state this is the last cd but they have reformed with bobby on guitar again for reunion shows and there is talk of new music before this cd i would have said good riddance but they can record great tunes still,If you liked the first 3 cds get this one it's misses the mark by this much as for standing up to the old stuff but considering the last 5 cd this is gold

Overall a good Biohazard CD. "My Life My Way" is why I ordered it.
I was expecting the CD to have the same energy all the way through but that was probably my expectations rather than the artists- and who am I to judge as someone who only listens to music rather than having the talent to create it?

"Means to an End", while unfortunately most likely Biohazard's final album, puts a strong end to the career of the best hardcore band to ever be assembled. Biohazard is one of, if not the most underrated band in metal/hardcore. Many people feel most of their albums are the same, but I feel different. Every album has been different, but in a good way. This album is no different. There is not a weak song on the album, and the opener, "My Life, My Way", is one of my all-time favorite Biohazard songs, features some killer, heavy riffs, great lyrics by both Billy and Evan, and a great guitar solo as well. Other fantastic songs include Filled With Hate, which is an angry, autobiographical number which includes great chants and a very strong guitar solo. Break It Away From Me, Kings Never Die, and Don't Stand Alone are great tracks as well. Overall, a very "back to basics" album from our boys from Brooklyn, and disappointing in very few ways. The only reason I don't give this album 5 stars is the last three songs, while all good, appear to be thrown together and are produced poorly. If you are new to Biohazard and want to get an album, I would suggest picking up either "Urban Discipline" or "State of the World Address", as they are absolutely phenomenal, and some of the best(if not the best) in hardcore history. With that being said, this album is a must have for any Biohazard fan, and if you've never heard these guys, this album may make you a huge fan.