Biohazard - Uncivilisation
Sanctuary Records
2001
Go to the Biohazard website
Go to the Sanctuary Records website
By Philip Whitehouse
Popular rap/metal/hardcore crossover crew, Biohazard, come out fighting after a rather protracted silence with their new album, Uncivilization. This record shows the continual progression the band has been going through since their very first album, and showcases an opening up to new influences and sounds without detracting from the righteous indignation that has become Biohazard's trademark.
Coming off to a storming start with bruising opener 'Sellout', Biohazard hit a groove early on and rarely veer from it. Even Seinfeld and Billy Graziadel's vocals are at venom-filled as ever, while the latter's rhythm guitar and the former's bass lay down a great backbeat which Danny Schuler's drumkit solidifies further with an interesting hybrid of hip-hop beats and metal blasts. Leo Curley's lead guitar work is kept succint and battering - Biohazard is not exactly a band well-disposed to blindingly fast sweep-picking and arpeggios in it's songs, after all.
Stand-out tracks on the album include the excellent 'H.F.F.K.' with something of a street-punk influence to it's anthemic chorus which almost makes you want to raise your fist in the air and chant 'oi!'. Also, tenth track 'Domination' batters the listener senseless with its guest appearances by Slipknot and Jamey Jasta, vocalist of metalcore wrecking crew Hatebreed.
The lyrical themes of this album will come as no surprise to any fan of Biohazard's earlier work - as usual, it's impassioned social commentary with a particular slant on how much it all sucks. Far from becoming a one-trick pony, however, Biohazard appeared to have learned the fundamental lesson that merely singing about issues doesn't solve them, but maybe raising awareness of those issues could help.
Overall, this is pretty much a typical Biohazard album. They've opened up their sound somewhat to other influences, widened the scope of their lyrical focus, and gathered together an impressive line-up of guest appearances, but none of that robs the album of its essential Biohazard-ness. Personally, I still prefer 'State Of The World Address', but this is by no means an unworthy album.
7/10
Sanctuary Records
2001
Go to the Biohazard website
Go to the Sanctuary Records website
By Philip Whitehouse
Popular rap/metal/hardcore crossover crew, Biohazard, come out fighting after a rather protracted silence with their new album, Uncivilization. This record shows the continual progression the band has been going through since their very first album, and showcases an opening up to new influences and sounds without detracting from the righteous indignation that has become Biohazard's trademark.
Coming off to a storming start with bruising opener 'Sellout', Biohazard hit a groove early on and rarely veer from it. Even Seinfeld and Billy Graziadel's vocals are at venom-filled as ever, while the latter's rhythm guitar and the former's bass lay down a great backbeat which Danny Schuler's drumkit solidifies further with an interesting hybrid of hip-hop beats and metal blasts. Leo Curley's lead guitar work is kept succint and battering - Biohazard is not exactly a band well-disposed to blindingly fast sweep-picking and arpeggios in it's songs, after all.
Stand-out tracks on the album include the excellent 'H.F.F.K.' with something of a street-punk influence to it's anthemic chorus which almost makes you want to raise your fist in the air and chant 'oi!'. Also, tenth track 'Domination' batters the listener senseless with its guest appearances by Slipknot and Jamey Jasta, vocalist of metalcore wrecking crew Hatebreed.
The lyrical themes of this album will come as no surprise to any fan of Biohazard's earlier work - as usual, it's impassioned social commentary with a particular slant on how much it all sucks. Far from becoming a one-trick pony, however, Biohazard appeared to have learned the fundamental lesson that merely singing about issues doesn't solve them, but maybe raising awareness of those issues could help.
Overall, this is pretty much a typical Biohazard album. They've opened up their sound somewhat to other influences, widened the scope of their lyrical focus, and gathered together an impressive line-up of guest appearances, but none of that robs the album of its essential Biohazard-ness. Personally, I still prefer 'State Of The World Address', but this is by no means an unworthy album.
7/10
