Album review: HATEBREED – The Divinity Of Purpose

March 5th, 2013 by Yiannis

Nuclear Blast – Out Now.

Labels always accompany new releases with a press release, so I found the shortage of information on Nuclear Blast’s leaflet for Hatebreed’s sixth studio album “The Divinity Of Purpose” somewhat strange. On the other hand, maybe the band speaks for itself nowadays.

The last time Jasta & Co visited the studio was back in 2009, a year which turned out to be quite productive for them as not only did they release their full length “Hatebreed” album, but also “For The Lions” – a collection of covers of songs from bands which have influenced them over the years with Sepultura, Obituary and Agnostic Front being the most prominent names.

Having paid their tributes, the Connecticut-based quintet decided to stick to the formula they know best and in the process have created eleven Punk-infused, heavy-riffed compositions which may not stretch the band’s creativity, but which will definitely please those most loyal to them.

“Put It To The Torch” may not be the most impressive song on the album but it contains the energy and attitude needed to open a Hatebreed album. On the other hand, “Honor Never Dies” is the archetypal anthemic opus with the kind of powerful riffs and strong lyrics that you would expect from a band that is devoted to classic Hardcore, Agnostic Front-style, and which has been around for almost two decades now.It is this pretty fine balance between decent and impressive compositions which characterises the remainder of the album.

Though full of energy and meaty riffs, songs like “On Your World”, “Before The Fight Ends” and “Indivisible” are not the mind-blowing tracks that this band is capable of creating. It is really the head banging riffs of “The Language”, the Slayeric melodies of “Dead Man Breathing” and the relentless groove of the duet “The Divinity Of Purpose”/”Time To Murder It” that show what these guys are really capable of doing, i.e., successfully combining abrasive Punk-style screaming vocals with rhythmical riffs of immense heaviness and quality.

Hatebreed play a style of music that is very close to my heart and whose compositional rules are so simple that it requires a lot of effort for any band of this style to come up with a bad album. What I expect from Hardcore bands are simple but solid riffs, quality vocals and much energy and there are indeed times when “The Divinity Of Purpose” seems to fulfil all these simple requirements.

Hatebreed’s sixth studio album may not be the highlight of the band’s career but it is, however, a release that can proudly stand next to well-established efforts, such as “The Rise Of Brutality” and “Supremacy” and that should be enough to satisfy fans, old and new.

John Stefanis

Rating: ***1/2 (3.5/5.0)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)