Biohazard “Reborn in Defiance” review
Biohazard
Billy Graziadei
Danny Schuler
Bobby Hambel
RIGHT? Biohazard is alive and well! As a pioneer of the punk/hardcore fusion genre, these dudes have been around the block a few times. I was stoked to hear they were working on new material, because it had been a solid 6-7 years since their last release. They brought in legendary producer, Toby Wright (Metallica, Alice in Chains, Sevendust) to produce the 13-track album in Los Angeles.
Reborn in Defiance is available via Nuclear Blast, so be sure to grab your dumb ol’ ass a copy!
Track List
1 – 9:IIIX6.941
2 – Vengeance Is Mine
3 – Decay
4 – Reborn
5 – Killing Me
6 – Countdown Doom
7 – Come Alive
8 – Vows Of Redemption
9 – Waste Away
10 – You Were Wrong
11 – Skullcrusher
12 – Never Give In
13 – Season The Sky
The first track is just an intro, so we can skip to Vengeance is Mine, which was one of the tracks they streamed early. This definitely got me stoked to hear the rest of the album. It uses a good mix of both vocalists (Evan was on this album but has since then announced his departure from the band). Some part of this track are a little on the cheesy-hardcore side, if you look at lines like, “Payback’s a fucking bitch,” but I mean.. the track title alone should warn listeners that lyrics like that would be included. I won’t say it’s original but I can get into it for sure.
Decay follows with another slow, basic hardcore intro. This song is alright with me until about 1:05 into the track when the chorus starts. I don’t know why but it bores me a little bit. It’s sort of bland and just sounds like something that might have been put out in the mid-90’s or something. That could be a compliment but it’s not meant to be one in this case. I like Biohazard in general, but this track makes me skip to the next song in hopes I like it better.
The fourth track, Reborn, already has my attention more than the previous one within the first 30 seconds. I definitely like this chorus a lot better. Overall, the song has more feeling than it’s predecessor. It’s still not my favorite on the record, but it’s restoring my faith in the album for the time being.
Your Disease was a track that had to grow on me. At first I was really on the fence but after listening through the album a few times, I was alright with this one. I don’t prefer the slower, drawn out side of Biohazard… or well, I don’t prefer the slower side of hardcore in most cases. But something about this slower track is okay with me, although it has that similar 90’s almost radio-rock sound to it. Mehhhh.
The next song, Countdown Doom, was one they released a little early so we all got a preview. I’m not too down with the overall tone of the song, but I don’t hate it either. It takes about 90 seconds for me to get into the track. It’s just sort of slow but then picks up about mid-song. I like the lyrics of this track better than the previous ones for the most part (“They are the problem, we are the solution” “It’s always the same game but different names”). Come on, guys. GET MEAN.
Come Alive becomes my favorite track so far within the first few seconds. I really like faster, thrashy hardcore. The track starts off with quick drums and vocals, and doesn’t really slow down much. The chorus is a bit slower but generally this song is pretty upbeat the entire track. I can imagine this track being one kids getting into when played live, although I’m yet to experience that. I will give you the full report later.
I’m not sure what to say about Vows of Redemption really… the lyrics aren’t too bad but I’m not too keen on the talking in the beginning. It makes me resort back to saying some of these tracks remind me of 90’s radio rock-metal or whatever you want to call it.
It’s not that I don’t like this album, although now that I’m typing this out, it definitely sounds like that’s the case. I’m just not impressed with their progression as a band. I just feel like this should have been some huge comeback album to reassure hardcore fans that they’re still a strong contender in the genre. I think people respect them whether they’re into this record or not, but it’s definitely not making eardrums pop or making me air drum in the car. I’m sorry, Billy 🙁
Moving along, Waste Away is next on the track list. I like that it begins with “FUCK THAT” because I definitely like that attitude. Ha. But it has the same vibe as the other tracks. I don’t hate it, but I’m not in love with it either. The chorus is definitely catchy and memorable, but I don’t know if this is going to cause a circle pit.
You Were Wrong reminds me of the side of Metallica that I hate. THAT’S RIGHT, I HAVE BAD OPINIONS ABOUT SOME OF METALLICA’S MUSIC. My hardcore/metal friends don’t always like that but fuck it, it’s the truth. This song is probably my least favorite on the album. It should have been tossed.
The name alone, Skullcrusher, gave me hope that I was going to like this song because it was going to be an emotional, anger-driven track. I wasn’t totally wrong, it definitely picks up the pace a bit and lifts the album from the lull that occurred in the previous few tracks. I really like how many times they use the word die in this track. There aren’t any melodic, drawn out versus to bore me. I’m into it.
Ballistic is a track that solidified my opinion that this band is just simply at a standstill. It’s not a bad track, but there’s nothing innovative, and it’s the second to last song on the record. At this point, I was hoping to be blown away by at least one song, or have a song I wanted to go back and listen to again… but I’m sorry to say I was still very “meh” at this point. Although I do like balls.
Alright boys… final track. Let’s do this shit. Season the Sky has to do it for me, right? Make me want to watch grown as men push each other around and fly across the room with only one shoe on. Mehhh that Metallica-ish guitar pops in… my girl boner is weak if not non existent. About two minutes in I realize this is an instrumental track and the album is ended on something I don’t like….. instrumental tracks. Over four minutes of slow guitar and none of the gut wrenching hardcore vocals that make you want to choke people. Poo.
My final verdict on this album is that is slightly bored me for a hardcore album, but if you’re a Biohazard fan you should definitely check it out. I was interested to see what they would do and I’m just a tad disappointed that they didn’t blow me away or surprise me in any way, except surprising me that they didn’t get more creative. I know they are past their prime, but bands can still make kick ass records and I hope that they don’t quit at this album because it would not be a good one to end on.
I’ll definitely catch them live if they come around. Hopefully they don’t punch me.
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
Related Posts
State Champs Release Self-Titled Album Today →
Anthony Raneri (Bayside) Embarks on Solo Tour Today →
Louder Than Life Announces Slayer as 2025 Headliner →
Pingback: Billy Bioharzard to Guest on Strife Record - PunkWorldViews.com