He Is Legend

It Hates You

July 21,2009/Tragic Hero Records

Back in mid 2004 a band from North Carolina appeared on the hardcore scene named He Is Legend. Through Tribunal Recordings HIL released an eight song ep entitled ‘91025′. The cd fit in perfectly with the Norma Jean’s and the As I Lay Dying’s and all those hardcore bands with chug-a-chug breakdowns followed by those screeching high notes. 91025 was a run of the mill disc that was good, but nothing out of the ordinary. It was heavy and didn’t really venture far out of the realm of hardcore/metal. Solid State noticed these fella’s and brought them on board for 2004’s ‘I Am Hollywood’. This full length was another hardcore outing that didn’t bring as much rock to the scene as their previous Tribunal release did, all in all it was a bit of letdown. The cd did have a certain little song on it called appropriately ‘I Am Hollywood’, which truth be told, was the bomb. The end of the song has probably one of the best breakdowns in a good three or four year span. The song was immortalized with the live version, being everything you’d hope for from such an explosive song. Five years later, looking back, the cd has several other songs that are quite good, including the song China White, which we’ll delve further into later. In 2006, He Is Legend released their second cd called ‘Suck Out The Poison’. After one or two listens, one would say ‘Is this still the same band from the last cd?’. ‘Poison’ was a gritty attempt at southern-style music. If you’ve heard of Maylene and the Sons of Disaster then you’ve heard of a crappy version of He Is Legend’s Suck Out The Poison. Taking a little getting use to, and after repeated listens, this cd turned out to easily one of the best releases in 2006. Songs like Attack of the Dungeon Witch, Stampede, and (((louds really stand out as great songs. Also on the disc is China White II, a sequel to the like titled track on ‘I Am Hollywood’. II is possibly my favorite song from 2006, it’s one of those songs that you love to sing way out loud driving in your car late at night with the windows down. It’s simply awesome.

A new label, one less guitarist, a new year, and He Is Legend releases It Hates You. After one listen, I thought, holy shit, this cd is it for 2009. Every. Single. Song. -on this cd is musical goodness. I haven’t skipped a track since I got my hands on this a week ago. Everyone I Know Has Fangs, Cult of She, That’s Nasty, Don’t Touch That Dial, The Future’s Bright Man, I could list all of the songs, they’re all great. Every chorus is perfection, there’s melodic singing, there’s dropped D Korn style riffage, there’s solos, there’s breakdowns, there’s everything you want in a modern day rock cd. Following suit, there’s China White III. A slow, bluesy, acoustic song, all singing and no screaming, III is the best song of the trilogy, by far, and it’s predecessors were the best songs on each of the previous discs. ‘I’ve got my eyes on you, and they weep, and you stay.’ ‘Even when I close my eyes, these tears continue, and they find their way to you.’ ‘I thought I’d never see the day when the clouds would roll away. In the pain and suffering, bring the rain and bring this pain. Don’t cry for me dear, I’m alive and I’m right here, I missed you so damn much then with no garden to tend.’ In 2009, I’ve listened to China White III more times than I’ve listened to any other song this year, and I’ve had this song for a week, its that good. It’s crazy good. This cd is what rock is about; having some fun, rocking out, and occasionally belting out something that means more than just what the words represent. It Hates You is He Is Legend’s best, and thus far in 2009, it’s my favorite. Please listen to this cd, you won’t regret it. [5/5]