Maroon Endorsed By Hate

Promotional sheets are funny things. I know they are supposed to give reviewers, distributors, and radio stations a small insight to the band and what they are about. Therefore, these sheets are going to pump up the band and make it seem as if you can't live without the record. That's just a good business, and promotional tactic. However, I find it quite amusing, when I read a promo-sheet that says "taking metal (or hardcore) to the next level," when the band sounds like everyone else. Maroon's one-sheet uses this same tactic, but I think I'm missing something. Maroon is a metal/hardcore from Germany, and it's not that hard to peg down their sound. Mix the thrashy metal of early Machine Head, with the chunky sounds of Hatebreed, and you have Maroon's second full-length, Endorsed by Hate. I have been sick to death of this type of "hardcore" for years now, but Maroon manages to keep things slightly interesting. To me, the most positive thing about this album is the fact that Maroon seem to really know their metal, and they execute with airtight ferocity. This band seems hellbent on being as brutal as possible. Most of these songs consist offast, double-bass laden, thrash, and then big, moshy breakdowns. At times I'm reminded a bit of Caliban, but without the weird singing. Maroon seem to have a good mix of influences, because I can hear some Sick of it All in there, as well as Slayer. At very random times, there is some killer guitar work going on, and it's a shame they seem to intentionally dumb down their songs for the sake of being brutal. I get tired of hearing the chunky breakdowns over and over, especially since I've heard the same breakdowns on countless other albums. However, I'll concede that these guys definitely know where to place these breakdowns within their songs, because all the songs flow very well. There is also a small aspect of melody to this record, and it is used sparingly, but I find it to be a nice touch amongst all the unrelenting brutality. Endorsed by Hate was recorded by Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn), and everything sounds very brutal, yet clear as day. This is a very powerful recording. This didn't come with lyrics, but I imagine they keep in line with the brutality of the music. Bottom Line: Fans of Hatebreed, Caliban, or Unearth will probably enjoy this album, because it has all the same elements. Maroon aren't doing anything new or advanced (despite what their promo-sheet states). In fact, what they are doing is very played out and boring to me. On the other hand, they are very good at what they do, so I'll definitely say they are an above-average band, albeit in an average genre of heavy music.