Up until now, about the only thing metalcore had in common with fairy tales was that 95% of the bands playing it think that they actually have a chance at succeeding. Leave it to Bury Your Dead to change that by taking classic fairy tale references and using them as titles for the blisteringly enraged bashfest that is "Beauty And The Breakdown".

From the opening riff Bury Your Dead unleash a smash and grab on the listeners attention with brute-force chug and a vocal performance akin to a crazed drill sgt. barking in your ear, spit and all. It's commanding, intense and nearly impossible to ignore. The rhythm section expertly compliments this with diligent playing and of course, the subsequent breakdowns and huge riffs epitomize the shape of mosh pit violence to come.

But while all the metalcore contraband is here and put to good use, Bury Your Dead have honed their craft and unleash a few new tricks as well. By maintaining a sharp focus on their songs core elements, they continually keep the energy levels high. But when they do eventually erupt with explosive fervor, there are subtle nuances of obscure electronic melodies hidden underneath that add an inquisitive dynamic flair. This, when coupled with the groups near bestial fervor, makes for one of the most powerful metalcore albums to surface in years.

Some will argue that it's too simplistic in nature and that the songwriting rarely lets go of its stranglehold on the listeners throat. But given the caliber of the material here, few but the staunchest of the scene police will deny what this band have accomplished. Sure the production may be a touch glossy, but it's also refreshing to hear everything presented in such a crisp package rather than a basement recorded mix. Make no mistake, Hatebreed officially now have competition for the metalcore heavyweight title.