Few bands embody the raw, street-level rage of hardcore quite like Biohazard.
Emerging from Brooklyn’s underground in the late ’80s, the band built a legacy on blending metal, punk and hip-hop with the grit of working-class realism. Divided We Fall, their follow-up to 2012’s reunion release, feels like a return to form, a defiant statement about unity, disillusionment and survival in a fractured world. True to its title, the record dives into what happens when society turns against itself, pairing heavy riffs and political fury with anthems of resilience.
The opening track, “F*ck the System,” sets the tone immediately. It’s pure Biohazard: pounding drums, chunky guitar chugs and shouted vocals that sound like they’re being screamed from a rooftop in Brooklyn. The song’s message is blunt but effective, a middle finger to institutional corruption and feeling betrayed by the systems meant to protect us. It captures the street-level political consciousness that’s always fueled the band’s sound, echoing the anger of everyday people trying to get by.
“Forsaken” keeps that momentum going, leaning into themes of abandonment and alienation. There’s something deeply human about how Biohazard approaches despair; they never romanticize it, but they never give in to it. The chorus, equal parts desperation and defiance, makes it one of the record’s emotional peaks.
“Eyes on Six” and “Death of Me” show the band tightening their sound. The riffs are sharp, the groove is undeniable and the vocals bounce between hardcore shouting and melodic grit. “Death of Me” stands out, reflecting on personal demons and the constant struggle to overcome them. It’s introspection through the lens of survival, something Biohazard has always done better than most of their peers.
In “Word to the Wise” and “Fight to Be Free,” the band shifts from self-reflection to collective resistance. These are rallying cries, tracks that could easily soundtrack a protest or a late-night dive-bar brawl. There’s a sense of unity amid chaos, a call for solidarity that makes the album’s title resonate even more.
“War Inside Me” and “S.I.T.F.O.A.” (Stand In The Face Of Adversity) explore the psychological toll of living in a world constantly at war with itself. The lyrics are as much about inner battles as they are about social ones, blurring the line between personal pain and systemic breakdown.
By the time “Tear Down the Walls” and “I Will Overcome” arrive, the record pivots toward resilience. The aggression remains, but there’s a newfound clarity, an understanding that strength doesn’t come from conformity but from endurance and connection. The closer, “Warriors,” feels like a victory march, paying homage to the survivors, the people who keep pushing forward despite everything stacked against them.
Divided We Fall is more than a collection of hardcore tracks; it’s a statement of identity, defiance and survival. It channels the frustration of the disenfranchised, the resilience of the overlooked and the enduring power of community in the face of adversity. The album closes not with surrender, but with a battle cry: despite division, there still is strength in unity.
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