“Hardcore. Metal. Fast. Powerful. Energetic.”
If a thousands words are worth a picture, what about just five? They evoke images of sheer aggression, passion, excitement and perhaps just a hint of danger.
These are the words that guitarist Wayne Lozinak used to describe his band, Hatebreed. Since releasing its landmark first album, Satisfaction is the Death of Desire, back in 1997, the band has gained infamy in heavy metal circles for its uncompromising music and the occasionally bizarre antics of lead singer Jamey Jasta.
Though the band is currently a supporting act on a larger tour, it is bringing its unique blend of metal and hardcore punk to Madison’s Majestic Theater tomorrow evening as the headlining act.
In this regard, Lozinak likens the band’s approach to the idea of touring to the way it presents its actual shows.
“We like to keep busy by playing shows all the time,” Lozinak said. “That’s just how we do it.”
Over its 15-year history, Hatebreed has regularly characterized themselves as a live band whose best product is not necessarily heard on an album.
“Being in the studio is always long and boring. The finished product is always good, though,” Lozinak said. “The way we do it is 10 in the morning until midnight, every day, until we get things done.”
Lozinak said he much prefers the band’s constant touring to the creation of an album. Its current stint as a support band to hard rock band Five Finger Death Punch has allowed the band to play to the largest crowds in its career.
However, Lozinak’s approach to playing doesn’t change based on the crowd size.
“Obviously in the arenas, more people come and see you, and there’s more room on stage,” he said. “But there’s more interacting with the crowd at the smaller club shows. It doesn’t matter if the stage is big or small; I like them all.”
One must be very cautious when describing something as simplistic. Although Hatebreed may create something that isn’t necessarily complex, to characterize it as one-dimensional would completely miss the point.
“We try and keep [the music] the same and not change too much,” Lozinak said. “We stick to the same formula like we always have. Things did start out a little more simple, with straight hardcore, but recently we’ve added more metal stuff with solos and different melodies.”
And, much to the surprise of longtime fans, “there’s even some singing.” Lozinak is quick to emphasize, however, “It’s enough to not change what the band is about.”
Ultimately, this leaves Hatebreed in a unique position in the contemporary music industry, one where passion and aggression overtake studio magic and standstill shows.
Lozinak describes the situation best: “Straightforward, heavy music. Get your energy and aggressions out and go home.”
Hatebreed plays the Majestic Theater in Madison on Thursday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.
