In a year full of relatively tame records, God’s Hate has dropped a three song rager that outshines most full albums released in the last eight months. Every aspect that fans love about God’s Hate feels amplified and wrapped up in just under thirteen minutes. This is them taking ownership over the sound and intensity that they have always delivered. Won’t Be Disgraced is God’s Hate on expert mode.
It’s clear from the opening track that this EP is an homage to the late Bo Lueders (Harm’s Way and cohost of HardLore Podcast) who sadly passed away in April. The bridge of the title track is a direct calling for others to open up about mental health struggles, to rely on friends and the community that hardcore itself has built from its conception. The very ethos behind hardcore has always been to provide community to those who don’t always have a traditional support system, to be a place for those struggling. God’s Hate is loud about the fact that that is still exactly what hardcore is.
In the second track “I Am The Cure”, we are guided into a crushing opening riff with a sample taken from a conversation between the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Williams. The sample, cutting off with, “I am a man, you’re not the cure”, is referenced throughout the song, a constant callback with, “you are the disease, I am the cure”. Given the content of the EP, it seems fitting that the clip of these two actors be used considering the tragic passing of both men.
The third and closing track is a cover. A very fitting take of Harm’s Way’s “Warriors Will Reign”, featuring James Pilgge and Chris Mills of Harm’s Way; Karl Buechner of Earth Crisis; Mark Porter of Floorpunch; and Ray Cappo of Youth of Today. Closing out the EP is a sample taken from a HardLore episode in which Bo was interviewed by cohost and God’s Hate drummer Colin Young. The final sentiment given is Bo simply saying, “I hope my friends and family think I’m a good guy”. I think it’s safe to say that Bo’s friends did in fact think the world of him, and it’s made very clear with this release that the love for him is palpable.
Mr. Brother, you are deeply missed.
