Produced by the main madman Peter Tagtgren, this 2002 release continues the trend by building upon their solid and unmistakable sound, incorporating more diverse influences while remaining true to their brutal roots. 2002.
Produced by the main madman Peter Tagtgren, this 2002 release continues the trend by building upon their solid and unmistakable sound, incorporating more diverse influences while remaining true to their brutal roots. 2002.
CD Reviews
Don't believe the (un)hype
Phodg | Chicago, IL United States | 04/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I stayed away from buying this release for a long time, having heard all the usual "sell-out", "commercial" and "nu-metal" comments regarding this album. I bought it cheap recently from a store that was closing down in my area. And I can tell you as a long-time fan of the band - this is still the same Hypocrisy we all know and love. It's more in the vein of "Abducted" than "Into The Abyss". Maybe a little slower but heavy as hell. I had the pleasure of watching the band tear it up live on their U.S. tour last year and the production on this album captures their intensity perfectly.
In short - don't believe the (un)hype. Buy it, borrow it or miss out. You won't be disappointed."
Not Excellent, but underrated...
Pablosa | Buenos Aires, Capital Federal Argentina | 04/07/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I read a lots of reviews saying that Hypocrisy sold out with this album, going into nu-metal stuff. I have to say that those people don't know anything about Hypocrisy or nu-metal. None of the nu-metal bands sounds like Hypocrisy does, and I bet Limp Bizkit or Linkin' Park wouldn't write a song as furious, heavy and fast as "Don't judge me" (track 1). Those people are mixing up what means to be nu-metal, and what means to sound modern, that is the keyword in this matter. Peter Tagtgren uses the same recipe with a great result, creating a really verastile album, and sticking to his roots. Nu-metal stuff? Just a couple of arrangements and "Turn the page", that I wouldn't consider nu-metal, and it is catchy and sounds really modern. So, you can't say this album is nu-metal considering one questionable song.
But with songs like "A public puppet", "Turn the page" and "Hatred", Peter takes Hypocrisy one step further, creating new rhythms that fit perfectly in the sound and songwriting of the band, cause he never refused to please himself and continues growing up. The album has a great sound, but the guitars sound better than the previous releases, remindind me "Abducted" or "The Final Chapter". There's the usual Hypo stuff: slow songs, mid tempo and fast songs. There are only 2 fast songs (10 total) in the album. Maybe, it's me, but I prefer more fast songs (the album finishes with two slow songs, sometimes the album needs more energy). Needs 1 or 2 more fast songs to make of this album the prefect combination between brutality and creativity, two things that weren`t combined in the last two albums. You won't find the BEST songs, but they are simple, really "listeneable", with lots of changes of rhythms, well structured, and more important: catchy and not boring. The songs are more in the vein of "Abducted" or "The Final Chapter", than "Hypocrisy" or "Into the abyss". I hope Peter to continue in the right path writing excellent music...(after two years with no new stuff from the studio, 10 songs is not enough...I'm a metal vicious!)
DON'T MISS CATCH 22!!...
"
It's about time
Justin Kennedy | NY | 12/16/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't believe anyone would seriously say there is anything Nu-Metal about this album. Hypocrisy in no way sold out, and Peter did not "lose interest" like one guy suggested. Yes, this album is different than any other Hypocrisy album - it's a whole lot more Metal. Not nu-metal, PURE metal. This album has some of the sickest riffs I have heard on a metal album in a long time. This is easily their best effort since way back when they released "Abducted". This is still death metal, but the emphasis is much more on the metal than it ever was before with Hyprocrisy. It's still just as heavy as their previous material just shows a more diverse side of Hypocrisy. Personally I hope these guys continue down this path because I love this album."
Nu-metal? NO WAY!!
Osculum | Oceanside, CA | 07/04/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album has already become one of my favorites. Many consider it nu-metal influenced but it isn't IMO. I hate all this "nu metal" stuff, and I honestly like this CD. Sure, it's different than all the other Hypocrisy albums, but that's what makes them an exciting band. The songs are well written, and you can tell that they spent a lot of time on this one. Hypocrisy does what they want, and if they did what some of the "hardcore" fans always demand, then they wouldn't be free to do as they please. As with all Hypocrisy releases, the production is excellent. These are some really catchy songs too, with good lyrics as well. All you really need to know is that if you consider this record a sell out, then that means you are out of touch with reality."
Forget the naysayers, this one's for real
Mark R. Guglielmo | Wood Ridge, NJ United States | 05/23/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like some others have already mentioned here, there's been a very critical (some say overcritical) shadow cast over Hypocrisy's latest release. Now I don't profess to be the be-all end-all of all things regarding this famous death metal band, but I've heard (and own) 4 of their records over the course of their career. And I can't find one thing wrong with this disc.It's superb, from start to finish, and Tagtgren & co. keep finding different and unique ways to shred your speakers. Sure their are cleaner vocal passages (notably the choruses of 'Destroyer', 'On the Edge of Madness', and 'Another Dead End'), there's melody incorporated blatantly right in front of your face, on nearly every song. And yes, gasp, the rumours are true: there's a faint trace of some nu-metalism present here, most noticeable on 'Turn the Page' or 'A Public Puppet.' But I dare Limp Bizkit or any other faux metal band out there to attempt the time changes and sheer ferocity of this. I don't think we'll be seeing that any time soon. Make no mistake about it, this is still Hypocrisy. Finally, and perhaps because of the new attention payed to song structure and melody, I would boldly proclaim this my favorite Hypocrisy album. It's the first one where I just kept hitting repeat over and again to hear one great song after another. Standout tracks: 'Destroyed,' 'On the Edge of Madness,' 'Another Dead End,' and my new favorite song of 2002 - 'Seeds of the Chosen One.'As I alluded to in the title of this review, don't believe the negative hype. This release is well worth your time and money; you won't regret it."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1