The Hope Conspiracy : "Tools of Oppression​/​Rule by Deception"

It's been 18 years since these guys put out a full-length. The end of the world certainly warrants a new album based on their message. The album opens with the angry stomp you expect, followed by "The Prophets and Doom" with a more rock n roll feel. There is a punk explosiveness to it, which highlights the raw organic nature of the production quality of this album.   I can hear a great deal of Integrity influence in what these guys do. They are both less metallic and less experimental than Intergrity. The scope of the apocalyptic gloom is not as dark, but more of a grounded blue-collar anger, so much like Modern Life is War in this regard.

"Live in Fear" is a straightforward punk affair that just goes for the throat.  Things are more effective at bringing the bleakness on the more deliberate stomp of "Shock By Shock" which is one of the album's strongest songs. "Of a Dying Nation" has riffs that groove and make it a more infectious listen as well. I do not care what genre of music you are or how angry you are while you are playing it want I want are memorable songs which is what "Of a Dying Nation" has them offering my ear. The drummer is earning his paycheck on this one for sure. They use dynamics but are not cashing in on the breakdown formula. 

They step on the chaos in a more Motorhead-like manner for "Confusion Chaos Misery".  "Broken Vessels" also works off a similar high-octane and hyper-aggressive punk pace. I like the lyrics to "The West is Dead" it sums up the theme of the album well, and these guys are old enough to be able to read the writing on the wall without any of the foolish ideals of youth. They are back to more of a punk for the last song, which works well enough for what these guys do.  I will give the album a 9, as it is the kind of anger I have been expecting for hardcore bands to have already come correct with this year. Dropped on Deathwish Inc. 

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