Customer Reviews

Rise of Brutality

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Awesome Album.
The songs portray a positive attitude to life through an aggressive framework. The vocalist actually screams with intellect, not like other vocalists that scream at random for the mere sake of it, which makes him look like an idiot. The songs are aggressive but still maintain a melodic element to it. This album is definitely their best.
Best songs:

Pretty much the entire album.

To recap this album:

1. Take brick in hand...

2. Smash head..

3. Repeat...

It's that good...

I'm probably not your typical "hardcore" listener. I love various styles of jazz, classical, rock, and multiple other genres. I'm in my thirties, which probably makes me much older than most who love this stuff.

At that age, I can tell you that the "who is heavier" argument I often see on reviews of these types is really silly. You can find a few of those in reviews here. "They're not heavy, so they suck." I chalk it up to complete and total immaturity...when I was in junior high, the who was heavier arguments used to rage on between slayer, venom, metallica and megadeth fans.

But then we grew up, and once you grow up my young friends, you'll come to realize that the "who is heavier" argument is really stupid. The simple question to ask yourself is do you like this music, pure and simple. Don't categorize it, or qualify it, just enjoy it. And if you don't enjoy it, move on.

Now for the CD-this is my first hatebreed cd, and I'm very pleased. I brought it on the strength of "this is now" and have been pleasantly surprised. If you like that song, you'll most likely thoroughly enjoy the CD, as it doesn't vary much from that theme. Plenty of angry shouting of some great lyrics over a distorted guitar a pounding bassline, and some loud drums.

The production quality of the CD is much higher than what I expected for music of this nature. In the 'old days' this kind of stuff usually sounded like it was being recorded in a basement or bathroom.

The lyrics are also worth mentioning, and really are what make the CD in my opinion. Its almost therapy in an audio form. If you've struggled before with depression, you'll understand that depression is anger turned inward. Well, on this CD, Jasta lets us all turn that anger outward, in a defiant "I will not go down without swinging" blast of rock and roll (or heavy punk, or whatever you're dumb label is) rebellion. As a youth who was often shouted down by religious parents, I can truly appreciate the lyrics to "Facing what consumes you." When Jasta tells his enemy that ""You want me to hold my tongue Then why the f*** am I here? You want me to bottle my rage Cause you never had the heart to say what I say," I think we all can relate.

"This is now", has a very upbeat message, and says hey, at one point I didn't even want to live, but now I'm here to fight on, and change what I can myself right at this very moment because worrying about the future is useless if I don't do something immediately. Again, I think that's something we can relate to, and is a good message.

In Doomsayer Jasta decries someone who "wants respect in your life, but you'll never earn it." We all know people who want something for nothing, and why should we respect them or kowtow to people who don't do something to earn our respect?

I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

A Fine blast of loud guitars, outstanding lyrics, and yeah every song is essentially shouted. I almost equate it to Rollins of old---good spoken word music, its just we're speaking a bit louder than usual.

Recommended.

I was really lukewarm on "Perseverance". I wrote a so-so review about it and I very rarely listen to it. It was almost unlistenable (especially at first), because it was made for the vocals (there is little emphasis on the instruments and the vocals were just like track after track of bellowing). And now when "Rise of Brutality" came out, I heard Jamie Jasta's voice wasn't at all altered, so I assumed that this album was just like "Perseverance". Then I heard the sample tracks on hatebreed.com and they sounded good, so I went out on a limb and bought "Rise of Brutality". Let me tell ya, I'm glad I gave Although Jasta's voice doesn't fluctuate, it doesn't mean Hatebreed have made "Perseverance: Part Two" because Hatebreed a chance. I like this C.D. a lot more than their last, because it is about 50% harder and faster and the instruments are much more present, noticeable, and generally better. There are even several short, good, almost-solos. The instruments are more than just background noise, here; Jasta actually has to compete with them. Coupled with the vocals, there is an overal good, cool, headbangin' sound--almost Slayer-esque at times.

On the opening track, Hatebreed pick up where they left off on their last album, with "Break it Down" (also the last song on "Perseverance"), turning the riff into a song and making it longer. A one word scat ("WACK"), making it also very catchy. Hatebreed explodes out of the gate with this catchy, awesome song and never let up until the album is finished.
"Facing What Consumes You" finally does what I've been waiting for Hatebreed to do for a while, and (as expected) they do it well: Funky, grungy, catchy, hooky, vibrant guitar riffs with a bobbing beat and no vocals. I can just see the entire crowd at a Hatebreed concert slamming their heads and moshing.
During "Live for This" the singer has about 3 seconds of acapella, where the beat was going as fast as a Viper and thus, when it stopped Jasta went flying through the windshield.

And although it might not be as easy to listen to on headphones(and I probably won't very often), it's great to listen to in the car. I drove around listening to this in the car all afternoon, with the volume up as loud as possible. Unlike rap, that's how this music is meant to be played. Not only is the guitar improved, but the bass and drums are as well. They "anchor the songs and make them an inpenetrable wall of volume"--Revolver. Sometimes I would look into the rear view mirror and see the bass riffs make the windows shake. "The Rise of Brutality" is an appropriate title for this album, as there isn't a hint of melody.

But Hatebreed differ from other hardcore acts. They are decent human beings just trying to achieve the American Dream. Jamie Jasta is among the top three (if not THE) hardest workers in metal today. He writes most of Hatebreed's music and all of their lyrics, is the host of "Heabangers Ball", tours almost incessantly (even on off days when on tour for opening for another band, he squeezes in a couple of shows for kids who aren't financially stable), is Hatebreed's Public Relations guy, and even when Hatebreed are on break, he produces other music (Agnostic Front). He is as much a business man as he is a musician, therefore he only manages about three hours of sleep a night.
In addition, Jasta's lyrics are different than those of say Slipknot's. They are definately not Satanic and even include hints of advice and optimism to his listeners (i.e.: "A lesson lived is a lesson learned," "If you don't live for something you'll die for nothng", "How can I change tomorrow if I can't change today", "Until you gain some self-respect...for once, just stand up and fight", "Facing what consumes you is the only way to be free.") This makes Hatebreed appeal to the metalheads but not put them in a depressing, suicidal mood. Despite the occasional "F" word, his lyrics are clean. So, parents: don't be detered by the "Parental Advisory" logo.

Although it's definately not an easy listen and won't appeal to 90% of the population, it's great to listen to in the car and when in a certain mood or when you want to get "pumped up". Hatebreed is essential for any metalhead (fans of Slayer, Slipknot, Six Feet Under, etc), and thus I definately reccomend it to any Hatebreed fan (and any hardcore fan for that matter.) If you were like me and were only so-so on Perseverance, don't get this C.D. until you've enough of it to make an opinion. But listen with an open mind!

Hatebreed has been one of the most noteable names in the true spirit of hardcore music. Of course, they are signed to a major label. After listening to "Perseverance," listeners will understand why. Not only that, Jamey Jasta is one of the hardest working people in the industry today. Out of all of this, The Rise of Brutality is far better than any Hatebreed release to this date. These guys always manage to out do themselves with each release. Jamey Jasta has always been angry and yet his lyrics are a bit monotone, the powerful message couldn't be anymore clearer. The whole concept behind the Hatebreed message is motivational in terms of harnessing agression and making something of it. Those who don't feel this message might dismiss this album as garbage. Meanwhile to those of us who have felt everything amongst the brutal guitar riffs and deeply moving words, not to mention the surprisingly catchy vocal hooks, Hatebreed listeners grow by the masses. When I first heard "Satisfaction is the Death of Desire" years ago, I'd never imagine these guys to remain so heavy yet vastly improve in talent and really make something powerful out of it. Hits like "This is Now" (definitely the caliber of "I will be Heard"), "Another Day, Another Vandetta," "A Lesson Lived is a Lesson Learned" and so on makes this the most powerful and consistent release to this date. All four members really know what metal is. Sean Martin has really achieved the feat of handling two guitar parts well solo. The rhythm is fast and remains fierce in attack. I'm surprised Jamey hasn't lost his voice yet like Chris Barnes of Six Feet Under. Check this album out and check Jamey hosting Headbanger's Ball. Truly in the spirit of hardcore yet schooled in true metal, you won't be let down.

It is quite simple: if you are a fan of Hatebreed and you have not yet purchased (or downloaded) a copy of The Rise Of Brutality, get off your arses and get it.

Since dropping one of the guitarists after they released Perseverance in 2002, you would think Hatebreed's music would suffer. You couldn't be further from the truth. The tracks on The Rise are clearly more punishing, more vicious and overall heavier than Perseverance. Jamey's vocals are more intense and hate-fuelled and the combination of the bass, guitar, and drums give Jamey a more fitting background. It sounds like I'm bagging Perseverance, but I'm not. The Rise is just better, basically.

The stand-out track for me, will definitely have to be "This Is Now". The song starts off with some deep, throaty guitar riffs, and suddenly ferocious metallic drum beats overtake the sound and fuller guitar riffs kick in, keeping the same rhythm, and intense drumming. You can't help but throw your head up and down in time with the music. Jamey's first verse begins and the fans are not disappointed.
The high points in this song are obviously the choruses, using the same music from the beginning. Once you learn the words, which is not hard to do, the chorus becomes very catchy and you get the feeling you want to be screaming the words out with Jamey. All in all, This Is Now is undeniably the best song on the album.

But enough about a single track. There is a lot more to like.

All twelve songs deliver pulse-pounding, sweat-producing, heart-racing music that every metal lover is bound to lap up. The way that Jamey screams every word in every song, you'd think he would have no voice left.

The departure of the band's former guitarist, was a good move for the wrong reasons. It should have made The Rise less heavy than Perseverance, but in fact it did the exact opposite.

If Hatebreed ever perform in Australia, I'll be one of the first to buy tickets. These four guys are quite simply the kings of modern-day metal, and I believe they are under-rated. More publicity and international shows will turn Hatebreed from an everyday American rock group into one of the most popular metal bands in the world today.

Hatebreed kick ass. Buy this CD if you haven't yet and you'll agree.

So many idiots are writing negative reviews about Hatebreed being a nu-metal band and such. Here's what I think of them:

YOU ALL ARE A BUNCH OF F**KFACES!!!

Who gives a damn if Hatebreed is on a major label? Many bands get their start on a smaller label. Hatebreed got theirs off Victory Records, the best hardcore label in existence. Lamb Of God and Eighteen Visions are on a bigger label, but do they suck? Hell no!

Toss out your Creed and Nickelback albums and buy this masterpiece. You will get into the wonderful world of metalcore. That's what happened to me. I started to listen to bands like Killswitch Engage, Hatebreed, Pantera and Shadows Fall in late 2003, and this turned my interests in music around. I listened to bands such as Korn, Godsmack and Rob Zombie before that (they're all good, I do NOT hate nu-metal), but now I listen to more diverse music, and I owe it all to Hatebreed and the other artists I mentioned above also, and I apologize if I forgot any others.

The point of my review, for the most part, is to clarify something:

To all you kids saying "THEY TRY TO UEZ METALLICA RIFFZ AND WANNABE KORN/SLIPKNOT LOL".

Shut the heck up. First of all, this band isn't even metal (nor are they trying to be), they're Hardcore. Think it is screaming, think it is just a lot of heaviness? Well guess what you dumb kids, the genera and style of Hardcore has existed LONG before your beloved Korn and Slipknot... Heck even *gasp* METALLICA! That's right, kids! I bet you don't even know who the likes of Black Flag are.

The point of Hatebreed's music is to be as emotionally charged and and brutal as possible, as with almost all Hardcore bands... The difference between them and Nu-Metal one-hit-wonders is that they actually do it well, and with an individual touch.

4.5 stars if possible

Hatebreed are back with a much shorter wait this time. Fans had to wait seven years after 1997's "Satisfaction Is The Death Of Desire" for 2002's "Perseverance" to be released but "The Rise Of Brutality" came out only about a year and a half later. Hatebreed still have the same hardhitting sound - relatively short, brutal songs filled with anger that's sure to get the pit going, with distorted riffs and the pounding vocals of MTV2's Headbanger's Ball host, Jamey Jasta. Some people criticize the band for having the same sound on all of their albums, but why fix what isn't broken?
"The Rise Of Brutality" picks up right where "Perseverance" leaves off - literally. The first track, "Tear It Down", opens with the same riff from "Outro" from the predecessor release. "This Is Now", the albums first single, is much like "I Will Be Heard" from "Perseverance". It's an explosive song with a catchy chorus that people can chant along with while pumping their fists. This song, as well as others on the album, contains somewhat inspiration lyrics, such as There was a time in my life where I had no desire to carry on, I couldn't see a place for me or a will to survive, I never thought to rely on myself or the beliefs that I had denied, but this is now. The song entitled "This Is Now" is about living for the moment and is an anthem for the fans. The booklet says 'We wouldn't still be a band if we didn't live fore this. It's not about the money or fame or any stupid rock star BS. The music has gotten us through and continues to do so. This one is for anyone who supports the band.' It contains the lyrics If you don't live for something, you'll die for nothing. "Straight To Your Face" was inspired by and dedicated to Agnostic Front and Madball. "Another Day, Another Vendetta" was inspired by Sick Of It All and openly borrows some lyrics from their classic, "Just Look Around".
While I don't think anything can top "Satisfaction Is The Death Of Desire" because it's so brutal and made such a huge impact on the scene, "The Rise Of Brutality" sure comes close. This is a must for any fan of Hatebreed or anybody new to the wonders of hardcore music.

I've owned this CD since it came out and I still listen to it on a fairly frequent basis. Most of the songs on this album are great if you need motivation. A couple of them are not so good, but the album has more good tracks than bad. If you like heavy, angry, in your face music with understandable lyrics, this will definitely get you pumped!