So what do you get if you combine members of At the Gates, Dimmu Borgir and Napalm Death and provide them with a few cups of strong coffee? The answer is Lockup, not to be confused with the late 80s hair metal band of the same name. Lockup specializes in a form of aural punishment that is equavivalent to having someone run up to you, throw a few rabbit punches to your kidneys and running off chortling. Hate Breeds Suffering is a brief record that slams sixteen songs at you in short order and never once lets up on intensity. While some may view this as a good thing, it should be noted that individually the songs are pretty good, on a whole the album loses its impact by never varying the dynamics. As with so many other acts who play super-hyper blasting thrash, Lockup relies on their singular approach a bit too much and the record's overall focus becomes blunted. Every song is essentially the same set of varying riffs put to the incredibly quick playing of Nick Barker with Tomas Lindberg shouting at you for the duration of the CD.

Like many records of this ilk, it is good in small doses, but by the time it's over, I'm wishing for something that understands the importance of dynamics over plain ol' bashing people over the head.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 03/2004

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