Hatebreed - The Divinity of Purpose (2013)

One of my goals during 2013 is to listen to more extreme heavy metal. Maybe no the darkest of death  and black metal but metal that includes heavier riffs, harscher vocals and more gruesome lyrics and attitude. But as the old saying goes, you have to learn to crawl before you can walk. So to start off this goal I have listened to the latest album by American heavy weights Hatebreed. "The Divinity of Purpose" is the bands sixth full-length album, the first one since the 2009 self-titled release, and includes 11 hard hitting songs that makes sure to leave you speechless after listening (or as James Jasta said, "all pit, no shit"). And no, I have not listened to any of their previous material so if you want a review by a guy who know the bands discography as the back of his hands then you are at the completely wrong place.

Anyone still there? Good, let us talk about "The Divinity of Purpose" now. Just as I thought the album was heavy and at the edge to extreme but I was surprised about the grooviness that some of the songs delivers. The drum beats and the slightly camouflaged guitars are creating a catchy groove that also has a sharp edge. The band has chose to bet on short songs that variates from 2:30-3:30, a strategy that is, for me, well appreciated.

There is not much variation on "The Divinity of Purpose" but that does not mean that every song is the same. The first song on the album, which is also the first single, "Put It To The Torch" is fast with a hard but determined groove while the following song, "Honor Never Dies", is slower so the lyrics can stand out by it self (a strategy that does not work so well since the overall lyrics on the album is somewhat boring) and then added with a sweet guitar lick during the chorus. Those two types of songs are recurring on the entire album and of the two I would say that the faster songs is the songs that works the best on this record.

Other songs that catches my attention is "Own Your World" that has an addictive chorus, "Dead Man Breathing" with its irresistible groove and fantastic chorus that builds up in a perfect way and "Nothing Scars Me" with its awesome attitude and raw strength. But even though the overall standard on this album is high I find the play time of 38 minutes a little too short for my taste. The album rushes through to quickly for me to completely enjoy it and that is not the only weakness the short plat time is giving. After already a couple of listening sessions I find the album a little more dull. the excitement leaves pretty fast and is instead replaced by a big meh. So the durability on "The Divinity of Purpose" is not very great.

So even if I absolutely enjoyed "The Divinity of Purpose" I still feel that one or two songs more could have been fit in. This album is way too short for me to enjoy it full out. But there is no doubt that this album is a must listen for every fans in metal. This record is an assault that takes no prisoners and goes all in against its listeners. But as stated before, it would not have hurt the band to put in an additional one or two songs.

Songs worthy of recognition: Nothing Scars Me, Dead Man Breathing, Put It To The Torch

Rating: 7,5/10 Bitter Truths