The wait for Hatebreed’s new album is finally over. The veteran metal/hardcore band released its ninth album, Fatal Paradox, Friday. The band’s ninth (and its first for BLKIIBLK Records) came almost six years after the release of its then latest album, Weight of the False Self. That record was released through Nuclear Blast Records. From the beginning to the end of its 35-minute run time, the 11-song record proves itself to have been well worth the wait.
The album solidly makes that case in part through its musical arrangements. The arrangements are everything that audiences have come to expect from Hatebreed. Front man Jamey Jasta’s intense vocal delivery, the equally intense, straight forward guitar riffs that walk the line of hardcore punk and metal, the pummeling drumming, all of it is there once again throughout the course of this record. At the same time every arrangement still manages to successfully present its own identity separate from every one of the equally infectious songs that make up each of the band’s existing albums. Case in point is ‘Still a Threat.’ The nearly three-and-a-half-minute’ work opens with what one could argue is a “mini-thrash style” riff before leaning more into the band’s more familiar hardcore sound. Even within that familiar sound, listeners paying close attention can still hear a hint of that thrash lean within, albeit subtly. That subtle touch makes it a great, unique work in its own right.
‘Sacrifice Season,’ which finds Obituary front man John Tardy offering a guest vocal performance, is another key example of the music’s importance to this album. That subtle thrash lean presented in ‘Still a Threat’ is even more on display here, especially with Tardy’s presence. The whole band joins in, providing another standout addition to the record’s musical body.
In what is perhaps the most unique moment of all, the band actually kicks into a brief black metal style sound late in ‘None Left To Save,’ the album’s penultimate entry. The song clocks in at just over six-and-a-half minutes. There is also some great chugging doom metal herein that when paired with that brief black metal presentation and the band’s more familiar sound, makes the whole that much more engaging and entertaining.
The band’s cover of Corrosion of Conformity’s ‘Poison Planet,’ which closes out the album, is another great musical fit. The blend of the band’s hardcore sound along with COC’s punk lean makes for a solid, unique final statement. Even coming in at less than two minutes long, the composition hits so hard, further showing the importance of the album’s musical body. When each of these songs are considered along with the rest of the album’s musical body, the whole therein makes the album’s musical arrangements a solid foundation for the record’s presentation.
Lyrically speaking, Fatal Paradox provides just as much to appreciate as the album’s musical body. From the theme of self-empowerment (‘Make The Demons Obey,’ ‘Decisions Become Destinies’ and ‘None Left To Save’) to sociopolitical and other commentaries (‘Kill Count Increase,’ ‘The Carrion Choir,’ ‘Fatal Paradox,’ ‘Sacrifice Season’ and ‘The Truth Is A Lion’) the album touches on plenty of familiar territory but still in a new way. As if that is not enough, the album also takes on the now present issue of artificial intelligence in ‘Total Invincible.’ Who would have thought? Typically, material like that is saved for a band, such as Fear Factory. So, for Hatebreed to hit on this topic says a lot about the matter’s role in the world. All in all what audiences get here is an overall lyrical body that gives audiences just as much to appreciate as the album’s musical presentation.
Speaking again of that musical presentation, the album’s general effect (its mixing and production) ensures the fullest impact of each arrangement. Chris “Zeuss” Harris, who has worked for quite some time with Hatebreed, receives credit for that positive general effect. He shows once again just how well he and the band work together. The result thereof is a record that succeeds just as much for its general presentation as for its content. To that end, the whole of Fatal Paradox proves to be one more welcome addition to this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums.
Fatal Paradox is available now. More information on the album is available along with all of Hatebreed’s latest news at:
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