LAST HOPE Test of Time (2007)
10 May 2007
This third in a row album by Bulgaria's hardcore majesties Last Hope was eagerly awaited by those interested in the genre. The name that was initially chosen for the CD was "Go Fuck Yourself", and the initial release date set lies in the distant future... This official premiere postponement, however, seems to have had a good effect on the end result, be it only because of the opportunity opened up for Barney Greenway and Mitch Harris from Napalm Death to record a guest appearance and some screams for the song "Overcome" during their second visit to Bulgaria, which was arranged by Re-Act - the booking company standing very close to the band itself. And it can't be otherwise, considering the fact that Re-Act is being run by Alex Boyadjiev and Konstatin Stanchev, performing vocals and drums in Last Hope, respectively.
Listening to the disc in straight order starts with a wonderful hardcore-brand intro, obviously meant to pump up the adrenaline level in your organism. This high level achieved that way will hardly go lower during the already mentioned "Overcome", which gives a clear enough idea of what the album will reveal in its remaining part - high motions, ramming riffs on the right places, angry vocals, outbursting on various topics related to reality and the innerself.
For those familiar with Last Hope's previous releases, the one-idea more diverse arrangements would surely bring joy. It could easily be concluded that everything in this album is "one-idea more" compared to the band's older records - guitars, drums, bass, the songs themselves... This demonstration of improvement and perseverance from our guys can do nothing else but delight us.
"Hellbound" - the song in which the vocal duties are shared between Alex and Shutta (Brothers in Blood, S.W.A.F.I., Doom Day, ex-Vendetta) could be placed with dignity next to Hatebreed's metalcore cutters (as a most classic example). And if you need something more musical to load you with energy while you practice your favorite extreme sport, Last Hope have created "Lovehate". Just turn it on and shout on the chorus: "This is it! This is it!!!" The frequently played on live shows "GFY (Go Fuck Yourself)" also makes pleasant impression, especially to those who have attended these events and know what they're all about. And "Under the Flag" is the song with a video which can be found on the CD (and you will prefer to buy that CD, instead of searching for it in the shady and illegal Internet corners :). The clip is directed in "Zhiguli & Hardcore" style - Bulgarian old-school classic trademark, in other words - but the montage definitely deserves attention. Analysis of the other songs stays for homework, and now we get to the conclusion.
And the conclusion is obvious - Last Hope's "Test of Time" is a must-have hardcore album. After all, it's been created by people who have toured Europe with friends and colleagues such as Agnostic Front, Murphy's Law, 25 Ta Life, etc., and as the saying goes: "You become what your friends are."