Haymaker is one of the worst albums, hardcore or otherwise, I've ever heard. We're talking 'makes-Hatebreed-look-like-Converge' bad here. I honestly cannot fathom a duller, more cliched, and more mentally aggravating record ever coming out of any music scene (with the possible exception of post-rock). It was a harrowing, monstrous disappointment from a band who has managed to put out a couple records that I actually happen to enjoy quite a bit. Beyond Repair and even You Don't Have to be Blood to be Family are great slabs of moshable fun from a band that seems to sincerely have the hardcore life coursing through their veins; Haymaker sounds like a band who decided to record right after giving blood after cranking the pretentiousness up to 11.
So it should come as no surprise that its follow-up, Vendetta, is total fucking dog shit as well. The production is slick, shiny, and positively vomit-inducing. Their first two records were helped by mid-to lo-fi production that gave them a much rawer, grittier, and truer feel; Vendetta (much like Haymaker) feels like it was shit out by Dreamworks. The vocals aren't screamed so much as hoarsely mumbled, which is a direct contrast to former vocalist Keith's venom-dripping, distorted growl (especially on Beyond Repair). The lyrics... well, they've always been shitty, but now they're more unintentionally hilarious than ever. Simply put, this record is an exact carbon copy of Haymaker, which I hope, at this point to you, is an incredibly obviously bad thing.
I swear I'm really not one of those annoying hardcore naysayer elitists who thinks he's above every kid in camo shorts because he owns a Pantera album, but this is a record that is absolutely mind-numbingly boring. Please, people, there's plenty of good hardcore out there if you stretch beyond the confines of bands you catch on Fuse. I'm no hardcore authority, but I urge you with all sincerity to stay far, far away from this waste of plastic. The fact that kids will rush out and spend their (or their parents') hard-earned money on this is a crying shame and ought to be a crime. Is it so much to ask that a band actually show effort in their record-making process?
Pick up the new Bane or Champion if the thought of purchasing Vendetta even once darted across your mind. Both bands still have that important detail called passion in their music, whereas Throwdown now feels as emotionless as the Terminator, but obviously nowhere near as badass. This gets a point and a half for not being The Used, Bowling For Soup, or Atreyu.
P.S: What a lame/weak/retarded album cover!
