Hatebreed

Hatebreed

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1994
Headquarters	Bridgeport, Connecticut , United States
Products	Metalcore and hardcore punk music

Hatebreed is a metalcore and hardcore punk group originating from Bridgeport, Connecticut, established in 1994. Their first full-length record, Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire (1997), quickly garnered them a dedicated fanbase. After securing a deal with Universal Records, they launched Perseverance in 2002, which achieved placement on the Billboard 200 chart. The band is known for merging hardcore intensity with heavy metal influences and has played a pivotal role in shaping the Connecticut hardcore scene.

Renowned for their inspiring lyrics, commanding guitar work, and distinctive "beatdown hardcore" style, their track “Live for This” received a 2005 Grammy nomination. Their dynamic stage presence has greatly enhanced their standing in the music community. Despite several changes in personnel over the years, vocalist Jamey Jasta has consistently remained at the forefront. Their most recent release, the eighth studio album Weight of the False Self, came out in 2020.

Formation and debut era (1994-2001)

The band Hatebreed was assembled in 1994 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, featuring frontman Jamey Jasta, bassist Chris Beattie, drummer Dave Russo, and guitarists Larry Dwyer Jr and Wayne Lozinak. In 1995, they recorded a three-track demo that was eventually issued as part of a split 7" record alongside New York’s Neglect. Their self-released EP Under the Knife followed in 1996, accompanied by an east coast and midwest tour supporting UKHC band Voorhees. After undergoing lineup shifts that year, Hatebreed unveiled their debut album Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire through Victory Records in 1997. This release became Victory’s top-selling debut and is widely regarded as a seminal work within hardcore and metalcore genres. The group embarked on extensive tours including appearances on the Warped Tour and the Tattoo the Earth tour in 2000. Their inaugural performance at Ozzfest occurred in 2001 following the addition of drummer Matt Byrne.

Growth and mainstream breakthrough: Perseverance and The Rise of Brutality (2002-2005)

Expanding their fanbase beyond hardcore circles, Hatebreed toured alongside prominent metal bands such as Slayer, Deftones, and Napalm Death. Their 2002 album Perseverance marked their introduction to a major label via Universal, reaching number 50 on the Billboard 200 chart. Widely praised for its robust guitar work and polished production, this release cemented their status within metalcore. The band supported the album with extensive touring schedules, including a return to Ozzfest.

In 2003, Hatebreed followed up with The Rise of Brutality, which debuted at number 30 on the Billboard 200. This record demonstrated a more refined metallic hardcore sound and received critical acclaim for its intensity and uplifting lyrical themes. Touring highlights included participation in Europe’s The Unholy Alliance Tour alongside acts like Slayer, Slipknot, and Mastodon. In December 2004, Hatebreed was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for "Live for This," taken from this album; however, Motörhead ultimately secured the win.

Supremacy, For the Lions and Self Titled (2006-2009)

During June 2006, Hatebreed embarked on an extensive European tour, highlighted by a set at the Download Festival in the United Kingdom. This was followed by a prominent main stage slot at Ozzfest 2006, where they performed alongside bands such as DragonForce, Lacuna Coil, and System of a Down. Their fourth studio album, Supremacy, was launched in August 2006 through Roadrunner Records and marked the introduction of guitarist Frank Novinec to the lineup. Vocalist Jasta characterized the record as an "unrelenting barrage of pure adrenaline-fueled aggression." The album entered the Billboard 200 at position 31 and secured top 100 placements in multiple international markets. Critics generally responded favorably, acknowledging that it delivered the expected intensity without surpassing earlier releases.

Tragically, on September 13, 2006, former guitarist Lou Richards, who contributed to the band's initial albums, passed away. Hatebreed took the headline spot on the second stage during the 2007 Ozzfest and performed at the 2008 Wacken Open Air festival alongside prominent metal groups. In April 2008, the band signed a global contract with Koch Records. February 2009 saw guitarist Sean Martin depart to focus on studio-related endeavors; however, he maintained a connection with Hatebreed, facilitating the return of founding guitarist Wayne Lozinak.

May 2009 brought the release of For the Lions, a covers album paying tribute to influential hardcore bands such as Sick of It All and Agnostic Front. On September 2, their inaugural live DVD, Live Dominance, was released and quickly rose to number one on the Billboard DVD chart. Later that year, on September 29, Hatebreed unveiled their self-titled sixth studio album, which debuted at number 37 on the Billboard 200 and garnered positive acclaim.

The Divinity of Purpose and The Concrete Confessional (2010-2016)

In 2010, Hatebreed participated in the third annual Mayhem Festival, sharing the bill with acts like 3 Inches of Blood and Shadows Fall. They returned in 2011 to headline three dates on the Jägermeister stage. The following year, Hatebreed toured Australia alongside Cro-Mags and Biohazard, while also commemorating the tenth anniversary of their album Perseverance. In 2013, they performed on the Vans Warped Tour in both Australia and the UK, appearing alongside bands such as Parkway Drive, The Offspring, and Rise Against.

Their seventh studio effort, The Divinity of Purpose, arrived in January 2013 featuring cover artwork by Eliran Kantor. This release became their highest-charting record on the Billboard 200 to date, reaching number 20 and topping the US Hard Rock Chart. The album was praised for its intense hardcore sound. In 2014, Hatebreed toured Latin America with Napalm Death and subsequently co-headlined a North American tour with the Butcher Babies extending into early 2015.

Released on May 13, 2016, Hatebreed’s eighth album The Concrete Confessional debuted at number 25 on the Billboard 200 and achieved strong chart positions in Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland. The record upheld their trademark heavy style and received positive critical feedback.

Weight of the False Self (2017-2020)

In 2017, Hatebreed performed on the Monster Energy Stage during the Vans Warped Tour, sharing the lineup with bands such as Gwar, CKY, and Municipal Waste. They marked significant milestones for their albums by embarking on the “20 Years of Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire & 15 Years of Perseverance” tour, which continued into 2018. That same year, they also took part in the EMP Persistence Tour alongside Madball and Terror.

The band commemorated their 25th anniversary in 2019 with a tour that featured supporting acts including Obituary, Cro-Mags, and Fit for an Autopsy. Following the early part of that year’s touring schedule, lead vocalist Jamey Jasta revealed intentions to begin writing and recording a new album during the latter half of 2019.

Their ninth full-length release, Weight of the False Self, arrived on November 27, 2020, to favorable critical reception. Dom Lawson from Blabbermouth.net praised it as "their most powerful album in over ten years and an ideal counter to impending bleakness."

Developing new content (2021-present)

During the summer of 2021, Hatebreed joined Trivium as opening performers for Megadeth and Lamb of God on the "Metal Tour of the Year," stepping in for In Flames due to visa complications amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, they toured to honor the 20th anniversary of Perseverance. In mid-2023, Hatebreed launched the “European Slaughterlust” tour with support from Unearth and Terror.

In 2024, they celebrated three decades together with a special anniversary tour that included a hometown event called "The March Metal Matinee" in Wallingford, Connecticut, featuring guest acts 100 Demons and Shadows Fall. On November 13, 2024, original member Chris Beattie unexpectedly left the band; Matt Bachand was brought in as his replacement for upcoming tour commitments.

Currently, Hatebreed is working on a new album anticipated for release in 2025. In June of that year, guitarist Wayne Lozinak had to withdraw from their European tour after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. On July 21, 2025, they unveiled their first new track in five years titled “Make the Demons Obey,” with Bachand covering guitar duties during live shows. Lozinak successfully underwent surgery in August.

Later in summer 2025, Hatebreed headlined the revived Summer Slaughter tour alongside Bleeding Through and Malevolence. In October 2025, they supported Killswitch Engage on their UK and Ireland tour dates, marking Lozinak’s return following his recovery.

Musical style and influences

Hatebreed’s sound is generally categorized as metalcore and hardcore punk, fusing elements from hardcore punk, punk rock, and various heavy metal genres such as thrash and groove metal. They rose to prominence alongside other 1990s metalcore pioneers like Earth Crisis, All Out War, Integrity, and Converge. Frontman Jamey Jasta has described their music as "Celtic Frost hardcore."

The band’s lyrical content often centers on themes of positivity and perseverance. Jasta explained in a 2016 interview that he writes uplifting lyrics because "there’s always hope regardless of what challenges you face," aiming to craft songs that affirm life’s worth for many years ahead.

Hatebreed draws inspiration from influential metal and hardcore bands including Agnostic Front, Carcass, Celtic Frost, Earth Crisis, Entombed, Integrity, Killing Time, Metallica, Obituary, Pantera, Sepultura, Sheer Terror, Suicidal Tendencies, Cro-Mags, Sick of It All, and Slayer.

Controversies

During the mid-1990s, Chris Bickel, vocalist for the emoviolence group In/Humanity, publicly criticized Victory Records' business methods via a zine. After a Hatebreed concert, Bickel faced threats of violence and homophobic insults from the band members. Jamey Jasta, Hatebreed's frontman, later acknowledged his homophobic views and left a menacing voicemail, which In/Humanity used as an introduction at their shows. Additionally, Hatebreed displayed antagonism toward Bickel during performances in Columbia, South Carolina, In/Humanity's hometown.

Hatebreed has acted as a sponsor for UFC competitor Chris Camozzi. At UFC 158 held in Montreal in 2013, Camozzi was reportedly instructed by the UFC to obscure Hatebreed logos on his clothing and ring signage using black tape.

In 2016, Nick "Nickel P" Papantoniou, who served as Hatebreed's drummer from 1996 to 1997, received a 45-year sentence for felony murder. This conviction was overturned in January 2023 after it was revealed that his defense lawyer had secretly arranged an agreement with prosecutors concerning a witness's testimony. The court deemed the original legal representation ineffective and mandated a retrial.

Chris Beattie lawsuit

Following his termination in 2024, Chris Beattie filed a lawsuit against Hatebreed in July 2025, naming lead vocalist Jamey Jasta as the defendant. Beattie alleged that Jasta exhibited "increasingly erratic" conduct that culminated in a "unilateral decision to exclude Beattie from his career opportunities, fan base, touring activities, and significant anticipated income." The complaint referenced a 2015 agreement among Beattie, Jasta, and drummer Matthew Byrne that allocated each member 25% of merchandise sales and revenue, with the remaining two members receiving 12.5% each. On September 25, Hatebreed and Jasta submitted a motion to dismiss portions of Beattie's allegations, characterizing him as a “disgruntled former band member” who mistakenly claimed permanent membership rights contrary to their “terminable at-will” arrangement. Their filing stressed that the 2015 merchandise contract did not confer any rights to the Hatebreed name upon Beattie.

Legacy

With over 1.5 million records sold across North America, Hatebreed stands as a significant force within both the hardcore scene and Connecticut’s music landscape. They are acknowledged as trailblazers in the metalcore genre alongside peers such as Converge, Killswitch Engage, and Integrity. Their sound fuses elements of hardcore, punk rock, and heavy metal subgenres including thrash and groove metal. The album Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire is frequently regarded as a milestone within hardcore and metalcore circles and is often described as a “hardcore classic.” Critics attribute to Hatebreed the successful integration of metal and hardcore styles; AllMusic highlights them as one of the earliest bands to blend these genres effectively.

Numerous bands such as Knocked Loose, All That Remains, Whitechapel, Terror, Ingested, Rise of the Northstar, All Shall Perish, and Parkway Drive cite Hatebreed as an influential force. Alternative Press recognized Hatebreed among the most impactful hardcore bands ever, noting that virtually every contemporary hardcore group draws inspiration from their work.

Band members

Current

• Jamey Jasta – lead vocals (1994–present)
• Matt Byrne – drums (2001–present)
• Frank Novinec – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2006–present)
• Wayne Lozinak – lead guitar, backing vocals (1994–1996, 2009–present)

Touring

• Matt Bachand – lead guitar (2025–present); bass (2024–2025)
• Carl Schwartz – bass (2025–present)

Former

• Larry Dwyer Jr. – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1994–1996)
• Dave Russo – drums (1994–1996)
• Nick "Nickel P" Papantoniou – drums (1996–1997)
• Matt McIntosh – lead guitar, backing vocals (1996–1999)
• Jamie "Pushbutton" Muckinhaupt – drums (1997–1999)
• Rigg Ross – drums (1999–2001)
• Lou Richards – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1996–2002; died 2006)
• Sean Martin – lead guitar, backing vocals (1999–2009); rhythm guitar (2002–2006)
• Chris Beattie – bass (1994–2024)

Timeline

Discography

Studio Albums

• Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire (1997)
• Perseverance (2002)
• The Rise of Brutality (2003)
• Supremacy (2006)
• Hatebreed (2009)
• The Divinity of Purpose (2013)
• The Concrete Confessional (2016)
• Weight of the False Self (2020)

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Award

Year	Nominee / Work	Award	Outcome
2005	“Live for This”	Best Metal Performance	Template:Nom

Revolver

Year	Nominee / Work	Award	Outcome
2011	Jamey Jasta	Revolver's 100 Greatest Living Rock Stars	Template:Won

Loudwire Music Awards

Year	Nominee / Work	Award	Outcome
2012	“Put It to the Torch”	Death Match Hall of Fame	Template:Won

Revolver Golden Gods Awards

Year	Nominee / Work	Award	Outcome
2013	Hatebreed	Best Live Act	Template:Nom

Libera Awards

Year	Nominee / Work	Award	Outcome
2013	Hatebreed	Best Live Act	Template:Nom