Review / Multiple Authors
The Hope Conspiracy
Hang Your Cross

Hang Your Cross is déjá vu; my ears relay the message to my head, "We've heard this before... we think." The Hope Conspiracy has made some steps since their last effort, Endnote. However, it's up to the listener to decide in which direction these steps were taken. Depending on how you feel about the band - or if you are clearly pessimistic or optimistic - this EP can be seen as either a step forward or a step back.

First with the latter; after listening to Hang Your Cross about six times in a row, it came to me that this is quite possibly was the missing link between the band's two full-lengths. The vocals don't sound like they were recorded in a closet like on Endnote. There is a warmer tone in both the guitar and bass which was somewhat absent on Cold Blue, but used throughout on Endnote. Also, the riffs still have a bit of that metalcore sound that made up much of the Cold Blue, but they are used sparingly and replaced with overdriven riffs that are akin to something the Louisville hardcore scene (Black Cross, Coliseum, Breather Resist) might have written. If this comparison sounds off, just look at any photos of The Hope Conspiracy within the last year or two. In each it seems like at least one member of the band is dawning a shirt with one of those Louisville band's logos. Hang Your Cross sounds like it would have made a nice precursor to Endnote, letting fans know what they would be in for.

Then there is the other way of looking at it. From this standpoint one could argue the guys have finally channeled the best elements from the two full-lengths and combined them into one crushing effort. While both albums were good, each had its flaws and this EP serves as the product of mixing both those formulas. Still heavy and uncompromising, the lyrics on this album seem a little broader and less directed at a particular person. "Dead Town Nothing" sends the feeling that living in Boston is not as grandiose as every one makes it out to be. Consequently the cold winters may have finally taken their toll on vocalist Kevin Baker. "Hang Your Cross" is equally outward, demanding an answer to the dogma presented by those who live with strong convictions, not religiously exclusive.

My take on it? I am just glad the boys are back in the game serving some severely pissed hardcore. It's been nearly four years since the last release and it has been a hell of long time since anyone has spit some hate like this.

Okay, okay, yes The Hope Conspiracy is back and Hang Your Cross is the clarion call for their abrasive take on hardcore. Keeping with the their usual revolving door of a line-up, Neeraj Kane (also of The Suicide File) is back on guitar, and Tim Cossar (American Nightmare, Bars, and Ten Yard Fight) joins as the second guitarist. In essence, The Hope Conspiracy has become something of a hardcore super-group. The results of the revamped line-up speak for themselves. Hang Your Cross is a great teaser EP for the upcoming full-length for Deathwish Inc.

"Hang Your Cross" is an absolute bruiser of song. When this song first appeared on the Internet via all of the official channels, it made an immediate impact on me; and it made me excited for this 7" in ways that I had never felt before concerning a Hope Conspiracy record. The feedback drenched intro blasts into a fast, chunky sounding riff. Kevin Baker, the vocalist, is as impassioned as ever here. It is definitely my favorite song by the band so far and might be the best that they have ever produced. It is gritty piece of rock-n-roll abandon. The break in the song is so hard hitting that it almost made my teeth rattle. It is as effective as a sucker punch to the gut. "Dead Town Nothing" is pretty good. It just does not have the power of "Hang Your Cross." It reminds me of what The Hope Conspiracy has done in the past, but still sounds fresh. It has a noisy quality to it. "Eurohell" is the last song on the 7". It has a fast tempo and a great riff that morphs into a heavy downbeat riff accented by feedback. It has several sections with gang style vocals. The song is barely over a minute in length and is a good way to close out this terrific EP.

All I can say is that anxious does not even begin to describe my anticipation for the upcoming full-length. The 7" did not disappoint at all so I doubt that the full-length will. In either case, Hang Your Cross is available in limited 7" format (2000 copies total with 4 different color cover which is a nice silk screened piece courtesy of Burlesque Design) and digital download. Get this. The title track is totally worth it and the other two songs are the icing on the cake.