CD review HATEBREED ‘Weight of the False Self’

‘Weigth of the False Self’ is the name of Hatebreed’s new studio album which will be launched in late November and the masters of grooving metal/hardcore remain true to their sound on their new offer. Twelve songs manifest again that Hatebreed have found their own powerful sound, which is constantly evolving. Jamey Jasta, Chris Beattie, Frank Novinec, Wayne Lozinak and Matt Byrne have forged another album that will blow your mind.

The band doesn’t give the listener a chance to slowly get into the album because with ‘Instinctive (Slaughterlust)’, Hatebreed goes right to the core. From 0 to 100 in a split second. The opener turns out to be a massive Hatebreed anthem that really gets you into motion. With 36 minutes the record is not too long, but it is packed with songs that leave no doubt about quality and intensity. As on the previous releases, it’s the riffs and groove that act as a weld seam for these metal anthems and hold everything together tightly.

It’s hard to pick out certain songs because everything is very well done. For example the extremely groovy ‘A Stroke of Red’ and the roaring ‘This I Earned’, which are both very pleasing right away. ‘From Gold to Gray’ combines fast tempo parts with grooving elements and one song that should also be mentioned is ‘Set it Right (Start With Yourself)’. Hatebreed not only have explosive riffs but also have something to say. ‘Set it Right (Start With Yourself)’ is the clear message that change always starts with yourself and not with demanding change from others. Hatebreed fuse very well made music with lyrics that are more than words. These words matter.

Hatebreed have achieved a status over the past few years that they strengthen with ‘Weight of the False Self’. This record is another candidate for the 2020 ‘Album of the Year’ poll.