Maroon
"Endorsed by Hate"
Abacus Recordings

Militant Vegan Straight-edge guys playing some of the most brutal music I've heard in some time. Earth Crisis you say? Try again... Morning Again? Close but no. Maroon is the correct answer. Europe's as well as Germany's leading straightedge band return with one of the most honest records I've heard in some time.
Endorsed by Hate is something that crushes you from the beginning. Metalcore the way it's supposed to be played. Pulverizing guitars, throaty vocals, breakdowns. Everything you could possibly imagine.
The title track lets the listener know that, this band means business. Being straightedge is something the band is very proud of. And this song lets the band express themselves in a way that they let you know how they feel.

I don't think it's much of a departure from their previous full length "Antagonist," because they still have the same morals and feelings that they do today. And Lord knows their musical style has probably gotten more harsh since then.

This band has been around for a while, and they admit that they respect what bands before them have done, like Earth Crisis and Morning Again and all the other Metal-ish edge bands that paved the way for them to do what they do today.

I would compare this release to Morning Again's classic "As Tradition Dies" because it's got the music down to a science and vocals are rough and to the point. And that is what I love about Endorsed by Hate, Vocalist Andre Moraweck has a style to his vocals where there is so much hate and anger in his voice. And I don't mean hate in the way most people think. He's got his beliefs and in his mind he feels he's right. The approach is a no nonsense way that makes the listener pay attention. That and the multiple breakdowns that accompany each song.

Such a brutal release that I feel does not get much if at any attention at all here in the states. This is an album that Metalcore fans and fans of the hardcore bands I mentioned above would love. They've got everything people would want: A very clear message, music that kicks your ass, and a very unique screaming style that is unmatched by no one.
Note to people in the states, GET THIS BAND OVER HERE IMMEDIATELY...

Reviewed by: Chris Buehler
Reviewed on: June 6, 2005