Most great bands spend their careers evolving. They will make albums which show the band's growth and maturity; they don't necessarily have to be experimental albums, but they are distinguishable form one another. Then, several albums later, the band comes full circle by making a "back to our roots" album--one which sounds like their earlier albums. Korn and Cypress Hill are two examples of this.
Biohazard, however, spent almost their whole career perfecting their rap-rock formula. Since their 1990 debut, they have tinkered with their sound very slightly--if at all. 2003's "Kill or Be Killed," which extinguished the hip-hop vocals, was Biohazard's first distinguishable album. But Biohazard's new album, this year's "Means to an End," re-adopts the hip-hop influence. This album brings this group back to their roots, and sounds like them circa 1992-1994. Unfortunately, I don't think this Brooklyn-based quartet evolved enough during their career to make a "back to basics" album. Thus,"Means to an End" doesn't bring Biohazard full circle; it's more of a retread. It's almost as if Evan Seinfeld and the gang said "Nuts to this, let's just make an updated version of `Urban Discipline.'"
On the other hand, this might be Biohazard's last album, so it's probably best for them to ride out on the horse they rode in on. Experimental albums could be a disaster for a band, and I don't think someone should end their career with an album that might suck. Thus, it's a wise move for Biohazard to make a back-to-bludgeoning-basics album.
Highlights include:
"My Life, My Way" has booming riffs and (what sounds like) a police siren. And, of course, a very Biohazard-esque shout-along refrain is also included.
"The Fire Burns Inside" has more heavy guitar work, but this song stands out because it has some Hatebreed-esque lyrics: "If you live for nothing, you'll never know why!"
"Filled with Hate" is a highlight because for its lumbering riffs (which almost groove in places), and it even has a guitar solo which is pretty long.
"Break It Away from Me" combines fast hand drumming with riffs which are almost fast enough to sound like a buzzsaw.
"Don't Stand Alone" is a personal favorite, because it might be this record's most aggressive track. The guitar and drum work (which is the fastest on the album) attack like rabid dogs, and lead vocalist Evan Seinfeld is foaming at the mouth with rage.
It's not a great album, but (from the loud riffs, to snarly, trade-off rapping, to concert ready shout-along choruses), "Means to an End" has every ingredient for a solid, trademark Biohazard album. No, it won't convert you if you never liked this band, but this album should definitely please all of Biohazard's fans. And, in the end, what more could you ask for?
kicks ass that's all I can say, and I hope they don't stop making music.
BIOHAZARD are old school hardcore veterans out of the NYHC Hardcore scene and deliver another kickass album with "Means To An End". Definitely a record, that will work with a newer generation too. Give it a shot.
this cd shouyld have followed state of the world addressbecause it's the original biohazard formula and ever other cd since has been seriously diminished potential since bobby was kicked out.after 12 plus years they finally return to the state of hardcore not experimenting to the point of- who is this again?sadly they state this is the last cd but they have reformed with bobby on guitar again for reunion shows and there is talk of new music before this cd i would have said good riddance but they can record great tunes still,If you liked the first 3 cds get this one it's misses the mark by this much as for standing up to the old stuff but considering the last 5 cd this is gold
I wish bobby hambell was on this cd because this is the most back to basics they have gotten and will get i fear,because this is seriously hardcore biohazard tunes and much better than reborn in refiance i feel(reborn is possibly over thought and overdone just donsn't have the edge)means to an end is simply,solid hardcore music done at it's best.i wanted rebourn to be state of the world part#2 or something like the first 3 cds or simular to them good intense heavy music but I don't feel it is that but means to an end in just that with out bobby on lead guitar but if they did this would be a 5 not a 4.5 where reborn is only a 3 maybe?it justy isn't the album it could have been but means is twice the cd it should have been
means to an end is heavy stait forward hardcore biohazard tunes and better than ant thing since state of the world and reborn in defiance falls short of mean to an end's power and edge!
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