The Brooklyn Hardcore legends known as BIOHAZARD are back with "Divided We Fall", their first studio album in over a decade, out October 17th via BLKIIBLK.
Originally formed in 1987, and having had various personnel changes over the years, Biohazard has reunited the original line-up, creating an album that delivers a blistering statement of unity in chaos. Bobby Hambel (guitars) had this to say about the album:
"We are really excited to finally have the classic BIOHAZARD line-up back together in the studio. This album has been a long time coming, and the record is straight from our hearts - we can’t wait for everybody to hear it, and to head out and play these new songs live. See you out there!”
Now, in all transparency, I wasn't the biggest fan of them after their 1994 album, "State Of The World Address". Not for any other reason than my musical palette shrank as I dove into Death Metal; an egregious error on my part as diversity is the slice of life, and one that has since been rectified. With that in mind, don't ever limit yourself to one genre, it's extremely one dimensional, especially when you consider how much music is out there for us to experience.
Anyway, as I sit here listening to "Divided We Fall", I can't help but notice that these guys, despite pushing 60 years of age, are just as vicious in their music as they were back in the day. I can't help but think that this is partially due to having the classic line-up back together, but also that there's a lot to be angry about in this day and age. We all are truly divided, both sides thinking that they're superior to the other, and both of them being completely wrong in that assumption. So yeah, "Divided We Fall" is exactly what's gonna happen if this country can't get its shit together!
Evan Seinfeld is still a badass, and having him back, he re-joined in 2022, has been a shot in the arm of this band. The way he writes and performs is absolutely essential to this band's sound, though that could be said about any of these guys, but for me, it centres on what Evan brings to the table. But enough ass kissing, let's talk about the standout tracks!
"Divided We Fall" opens up with “Fuck The System”, a statement that I completely agree with. Our current system in the US is irreparably broken, and we need songs like this to remind us that this shit is NOT ok. The Hardcore riffs are heavy, and in them I hear a bit of EARTH CRISIS, who are legends of the Syracuse Straight Edge Hardcore scene. While I do hear that band in there, this track is undeniably Biohazard, from the vocals to the overall tone and performance.
Following that is “Forsaken”, another absolute banger of a track. This one also has all the hallmarks of classic era Biohazard, it's heavy, angry, and exactly what I want to hear from this genre. There's a sick lead break before what I'd consider to be the break down, which goes hard as fuck! Killer tune from start to finish!
“Tear Down The Walls” is pretty far down in the track list, but is no less a banger than any of the previous songs on this album. There's plenty of crushing Hardcore riffs, gang vocals, and positive messages hidden within the lyrics. Biohazard doesn't want you to take anything laying down, and they deliver that message as only they can.
“Death Of Me” is another track that I find myself going back to over and over again. There's the obligatory sounds that one would expect from the band, riffs, heaviness, and the attitude that is a huge part of the genre itself. I believe that many of you will grasp onto this track like I have.
Other standout tracks include “War Inside Me”, “S.I.T.F.O.A”, and “Warriors”.
Is Biohazard breaking the mold? No, but no one wants them to either. Fans expect a certain sound and direction from these old-school Hardcore legends, and they deliver it with all of the power and edge that they've exhibited throughout their career. So dig in now because the record is out and ready for your ears! Words: Tom Hanno.
Originally formed in 1987, and having had various personnel changes over the years, Biohazard has reunited the original line-up, creating an album that delivers a blistering statement of unity in chaos. Bobby Hambel (guitars) had this to say about the album:
"We are really excited to finally have the classic BIOHAZARD line-up back together in the studio. This album has been a long time coming, and the record is straight from our hearts - we can’t wait for everybody to hear it, and to head out and play these new songs live. See you out there!”
Now, in all transparency, I wasn't the biggest fan of them after their 1994 album, "State Of The World Address". Not for any other reason than my musical palette shrank as I dove into Death Metal; an egregious error on my part as diversity is the slice of life, and one that has since been rectified. With that in mind, don't ever limit yourself to one genre, it's extremely one dimensional, especially when you consider how much music is out there for us to experience.
Anyway, as I sit here listening to "Divided We Fall", I can't help but notice that these guys, despite pushing 60 years of age, are just as vicious in their music as they were back in the day. I can't help but think that this is partially due to having the classic line-up back together, but also that there's a lot to be angry about in this day and age. We all are truly divided, both sides thinking that they're superior to the other, and both of them being completely wrong in that assumption. So yeah, "Divided We Fall" is exactly what's gonna happen if this country can't get its shit together!
Evan Seinfeld is still a badass, and having him back, he re-joined in 2022, has been a shot in the arm of this band. The way he writes and performs is absolutely essential to this band's sound, though that could be said about any of these guys, but for me, it centres on what Evan brings to the table. But enough ass kissing, let's talk about the standout tracks!
"Divided We Fall" opens up with “Fuck The System”, a statement that I completely agree with. Our current system in the US is irreparably broken, and we need songs like this to remind us that this shit is NOT ok. The Hardcore riffs are heavy, and in them I hear a bit of EARTH CRISIS, who are legends of the Syracuse Straight Edge Hardcore scene. While I do hear that band in there, this track is undeniably Biohazard, from the vocals to the overall tone and performance.
Following that is “Forsaken”, another absolute banger of a track. This one also has all the hallmarks of classic era Biohazard, it's heavy, angry, and exactly what I want to hear from this genre. There's a sick lead break before what I'd consider to be the break down, which goes hard as fuck! Killer tune from start to finish!
“Tear Down The Walls” is pretty far down in the track list, but is no less a banger than any of the previous songs on this album. There's plenty of crushing Hardcore riffs, gang vocals, and positive messages hidden within the lyrics. Biohazard doesn't want you to take anything laying down, and they deliver that message as only they can.
“Death Of Me” is another track that I find myself going back to over and over again. There's the obligatory sounds that one would expect from the band, riffs, heaviness, and the attitude that is a huge part of the genre itself. I believe that many of you will grasp onto this track like I have.
Other standout tracks include “War Inside Me”, “S.I.T.F.O.A”, and “Warriors”.
Is Biohazard breaking the mold? No, but no one wants them to either. Fans expect a certain sound and direction from these old-school Hardcore legends, and they deliver it with all of the power and edge that they've exhibited throughout their career. So dig in now because the record is out and ready for your ears! Words: Tom Hanno.
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