New warning call for Biohazard!
On the eve of their 40th anniversary, the legendary Brooklyn hardcore band composed of Evan Seinfeld (vocals/bass), Billy Graziadei (vocals/guitar), Bobby Hambel (guitar), and Danny Schuler (drums) unveils their tenth album, Divided We Fall, on the BLKIIBLK label.
We start with a first track with a simple message: Fuck the System. The vindictive riffs supported by the two vocalists quickly hit us, and there is no doubt that they will immediately get the band’s fans moving in the purest NYHC tradition with its effective mosh parts, just like on Forsaken, which follows a similar direction. The infectious, unifying energy is ever-present, at times transforming into pure rage accompanied by backing vocals, then a screeching solo carries us into Eyes on Six, which follows with a fairly calm introduction that obviously doesn’t last long, giving way to obvious aggression. The track is sometimes a little slower but just as catchy, and we remain in this vein of controlled but stirring slowness for Death of Me and its simple but heavy and suffocating riffs, which will quickly cause chaos in the pit. We pick up speed again with Word to the Wise, which returns to its wild Old School roots with a motivating blast, but also knows how to insert quieter passages to slow things down while building up the pressure before exploding. Then The Fight to be Free accentuates the natural groove of the riffs to maintain this atmosphere of constant emulation. The track also seems very promising for upcoming concerts, as does War Inside Me, which revives the band’s roots, even awakening the traces of Hip-Gop that remain and blend beautifully with its violent saturation, as on S.I.T.F.O.A., which immediately follows in the same musical direction, emphasizing clean vocals and backing vocals. We are transported back to the late 1980s, when the band was cutting its teeth on the local scene with unwavering motivation, then we return to faster riffs with Tear Down the Walls, a more aggressive track whose break literally makes our necks ache as it makes us want to headbang, then we’re off again at full speed with I Will Overcome, which also maintains this abrasive speed thanks to dissonant harmonics that encourage moshing. The end of the album is already in sight with Warriors, another track that is openly lively and jerky with a few heavy passages, but which allows the band to jump around on stage before delivering the coup de grâce.
I’ve never been a fan of pure Hardcore, but I’ve always respected its pioneers and legends such as Biohazard. Knowing this, I dove headfirst into Divided We Fall, which held my attention from start to finish with its incredibly catchy rhythm! Maybe I’ll even venture out to see them live…
90/100