Recording information: Trax East, South River, NJ.

Photographers: Jesse Burke; Jamie Murphy; Adam Tanner.

With Sepultura-like vocals and ferocious, Slayer-style guitar riffs, these scary-looking, tattooed dudes from Connecticut have successfully crossed over from the hardcore scene to the metal scene, touring both with Ozzfest and Sepultura. Lyrically, they are definitely an East Coast hardcore band, with song titles like "Empty Promises" and "Betrayed By Life." Aside from being straight-edged, betrayal is the singular theme, for whatever reason, in East Coast hardcore and among all the zillions of bands that have copied that style. But Hatebreed's music is more influenced by death metal, or at least the bands that are more accomplished within that genre, because these guys can play their instruments. The drums, bass, and guitars all sound like a well-oiled machine churning out a massive sound. The vocals also have a more menacing, metal-like quailty. The result is one furious album, heavier than anything Slayer has done in a decade. ~ Adam Bregman