Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Extreme Music - One Style Only, February 27, 2003
"Perseverance" is fast, hard, metal, hardcore, and basic. Thrash metal, death metal; whatever you may call it, the first CD for a major label by this group is just as unrepentant as any self-produced metal group ever thought to be.Hatebreed is beyond the pale for me. I always thought I liked metal (I do), I know I like progressive rock, and I always thought I liked music that challenged the perception of what music can be. However, this music pushes my definition of the envelope so far that the envelope may have popped. After a discussion with the person that loaned me this CD, I realize that this group is likely much better in concert with a nearby mosh pit in which you can express the adrenaline generated by this music. The music is loud, very loud, in fact. The lyrics are yelled, not sung. The riffs are continuous, and the bass is heavy. The sound never lets up from beginning to end. If you like metal, but your idea of metal is groups like King Crimson, Led Zeppelin and early Black Sabbath, this music may be too far out for you. Certainly it is not for us old guys that thought we were keeping up with the times. I think the times have passed me by. Three stars because the music is good, but the lyrics are not challenging, and the singing style has no variation. I wonder where this group will evolve to?
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10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Serious metal ear candy, December 28, 2002
It was inevitable that after Hatebreed's indie smash "Satisfaction is the Death of Desire" that they would soon make the jump to a major label. Most of Hatebreed's fans felt that this would see the selling out of the band. Thankfully though, Hatebreed has maintained their integrity, and has released one hell of a wicked major label debut with "Perseverance". Lead singer Jamey Jasta belts out rhythmic screams while the rest of the band carries on a death metal/grindcore-esque rhythm that is very reminiscent of later Slayer material (Slayer guitarist Kerry King offers his guitar talents on the track "Final Prayer"). Those who have never listened to Hatebreed before, and are more suited to listen to schlock rock bands like Linkin Park, Creed, and Limp Bizkit, will find Jasta's voice grating and annoying, but for older metalheads who remember the days of greatness from Slayer, old Sepultura, early Fear Factory, and Pantera will dig it immediately. "I Will Be Heard", "Your Never Alone", "Final Prayer", "Unloved", and "Smash Your Enemies" are great grinding songs that actually have a real meaning behind them and aren't pretend, phony, or religious. All in all, "Perseverance" might not be as good as the indie classic "Satisfaction is the Death of Desire", but this is one of the best metal albums of the year.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
100% pure audio aggression, March 17, 2003
Hatebreed's major label debut "Perseverance" brings in a much more polished sound than the band's past releases. J. Jasta's voice is louder than ever, the guitars are cinder block heavy, and the album is not recommeded for those looking for something in the way of "easy-listening." The fact of the matter is that "Perseverance" is one of the most aggressive albums to come from U.S. shores in quite sometime. The band itself derives many influences ranging from hardcore, heavy metal, and thrash genres. The lyrical content of each song deal with a variety of issues ranging from aggression, hatred, loss, and even goes as far as songs of encouragement and inspiration. The shining moments include songs like "I Will Be Heard", "Below the Bottom"(my top pick), "Hollow Ground", "Final Prayer"w/ a guest guitar solo from Slayer's very own Kerry King, and so on. This CD is great for fans of the hardcore genre, Slayer, Pantera, and so on. Depending on how you look at it, "Perseverance" will either make you wanna rock, or it'll just beat you senseless. Judging by the sound Hatebreed has to offer on this album, I see a bright future ahead for these guys, don't be left in the dark. I also recommend the band's 1997 debut "Satisfaction is the Death of Desire."
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