Not many bands can rival Hatebreed in terms of consistency. Since its formation almost 20 years ago the band hasn't stopped spewing brutal metalized hardcore that follows a simple, yet effective formula with almost religious devotion. The Connecticut band recognizes this as its divine mission and once again embraces it on its sixth full length album, 'The Divinity of Purpose.' Like you expected anything else...

There are definitely no surprises on the new Hatebreed record. You can also say 'goodbye' to the hints of diversity that appeared on 2009's self titled effort in the form of more metal influences, melodies and almost clean singing. In 'The Divinity of Purpose' these elements have been dissolved in the melting pot of the band's traditional sound, practically making a 360 degree turn back to 'The Rise of Brutality' (2003) and 'Supremacy' (2006). Nothing bad about that. Quite the contrary – Hatebreed display a straightforward sense of purpose, while all their experience in writing music that has piled up through the years results in some of their most shaped out songs to date.

Tracks like 'Put It to the Torch' and 'Honor Never Dies' are the typical Hatebreed-style punches that rely on powerful groove riffs and super heavy breakdowns over which Jamey Jasta shouts slogans like 'sometimes standing for what you believe means standing alone.' There are also a few tributes: 'The Language' and 'Dead Man Breathing' are pure Slayer-isms, while the title track seems to borrow a riff from Rage Against the Machine's 'Bullet in the Head.' The good old Hatebreed you know and love.

Someone not as well-intentioned might say this is yet another experiment how many times they could get away with releasing the same album. It is true that not may thing besides the cover art and the title separate 'The Divinity of Purpose' from the previous five CD's. But this is exactly that the band's fans expect, and what they once again get. AC/DC and Motorhead have been doing the same thing for years and no one judges them. It is just that those who were never really found Hatebreed that inspiring, will once again have more fun watching paint dry.