After the lyric video for A.D, Hatebreed bring out a simple yet effective performance video for Looking Down the Barrel of Today. Shot in their rehearsal room in Connecticut, we see the band in their element, doing what they do best and just playing hard!
The track speaks of pushing through adversity and opposition, as do the written messages flashing throughout the video. These include the likes of "Live it to the fullest", "Keep a positive mental attitude" and "It's never too late to make a positive change." With the addition of the messages, it all comes across a bit "after school special". Although everyone at any age could be comforted by words of positivity and encouragement, it feels as if it is primarily aimed at teens.
The song alone is empowering and clear enough that the written messages don't seem all that necessary. The track shows the band back on form, mixing the fast paced riffing with crashing hardcore grooves. For the first time in ages, I can say that this Hatebreed track finally has a hook. "Once had a shotgun to my head; said I wasn't worth the bullets" fits so perfectly with the rhythm of the riff in an almost rap-like fashion that it's unforgettable and anthemic.
The new album The Concrete Confessional is due for release on May 13th and I for one am looking forward to checking it out.
