Led by vocalist Jeff Perlin and guitarist Mike Dijan,
Breakdown wallowed in the NY music underground for a decade before releasing
Battle Hymns for an Angry Planet in 2000. The addition of second guitarist A.J. Novello (who worked with
Cro-Mags' John Joseph in Both Worlds) added hardcore credibility to this already revered outfit, while enriching
Battle Hymns with some excellent riffing. Things get off to a deceptively slow start on the opener, "Tomorrow Fades Away," before
Breakdown (including bassist Harry Kazakos and drummer Lou Medina) blasts into a kinetic punk bridge that sets the record's manic tone. Standout tracks include the relentless "Rebel Without a Clue," "Fight," and "The Day After." These songs have a thrash essence that brilliantly highlights
Breakdown's NY hardcore roots. Somewhere between
Sick of It All and
Agnostic Front -- Roger Miret makes a guest appearance on this release -- this blend of metal and punk outshines that of Blacklisted, making
Battle Hymns for an Angry Planet the highlight of
Breakdown's oeuvre. ~ Vincent Jeffries