(hed)PE; I remember seeing and hearing the band back in 1998 on The Music Factory (I know… but they did the Dynamo special). The band had my interest from that day on. (hed)PE is one of those bands who mix metal, punk and hip hop like a McDonalds employee mixes a McSalad. Just like in the salad, everything is there, nice new fruits, fresh vegetables and that nice taste. Only, after the third salad shaker, you’ll get enough of the synthetic taste and want something different. (hed)PE is just like a good salad-mix, great beats, great DJ work from crazy man DJ Product (if you see his live performance, you’ll swear to yourself you never going to lend an LP to a DJ anymore) and the relaxed lyrics of MCUD.

Calling Blackout an important album for the band is an understatement. After 2 albums (or 3 if you count the Church Of Realities album which is released on an independent label, as their first album), Blackout is their next effort and they have to consolidate their position as one of the best nu metal bands around. They had to do something different on this album, just to avoid everyone thinking ‘ow.. ok, a new (hed)PE, that’s cool, but it’s just the same as before (just like 3 McSalads after one another). But they did it.

Blackout is more in the relax-zone compared to their emotional album Broke. Blackout is the perfect soundtrack for the summer, relaxing with a cocktail in one hand, a joint in the other and (hed)PE on the stereo.

Just lie down and enjoy MCUD’s flow, which is perfect on this album. Listen to “The Only One” and “Otherside” and you’ll know what I mean.

Blackout is an album full of emotions, broken relationships and the feeling of being rejected, but also an album that somehow gives hope. A sort of warning: “don’t fuck up like I did”. “Otherside’ is such a song. There’s hope in some of these songs and that’s by far not a negative thing. The catchy songs are still there, the chorus on “Bury Me” is one of the best I have ever heard from the band. “Crazy Life” has great lyrics and cool beats. All in all Blackout is a potential billboard hit.

Isn’t there anything wrong on this album? Well, the songs are great, but not excellent. It’s just an album that you play and passes you by. Sometimes I wonder if MCUD really has so much to worry about. I know he has been through a lot of ups and downs the last 2 year, but 14 songs filled by anger, frustration and other emotions is a little bit too much. All summed up, this is another great (hed)PE album, catchy songs, cool riffs and great lyrics. Makes me wonder where it will take (hed)PE. Are they finally turning into million sellers? The album is there, now the fans.