(hed)p.e. have been around a long time attempting to mix rap and metal, yet never really becoming as successful as some as their other nu-metal peers. Yet, they were always considered as one of the only bands to ever get the rap/metal combination right. Regardless of their lack of success, they are still active today, while many other bands in their extinct genre have died long ago. Their last album “Blackout” was by far their most commercially accessible album to date, and an obvious attempt at commercial success. They still used a variety of styles in their music, but featured a number of harmonizing vocals by frontman Jahred. The rap oriented sound that older fans were accustomed to hearing was toned down, and the focus was now on Jahred’s vocal abilities, which in the end gave them a bunch of radio-friendly rock tracks.

3 years pass, and (hed) is back with a new cd and a new label, Suburban Noize Records. Their new album, Back to Base X”, is exactly how it sounds. They basically go back to their original roots of hip-hop oriented music, with the occasional guitar riff here and there. However, that sound was not successful back then for them, and it is not successful today either. The whole album features Jahred rapping through basically every track. The lyrics are often very random and have no meaning in the song. It makes you wonder if this album is just a collection of unreleased demos that never made the light of day.

As far as highlights are concerned for this album, there really are none. Most of the album is filled with an obnoxious nu-metal sound, which has been beaten to a bloody pulp, while Jahred raps incoherently to a hip-hop beat. An obvious lack of production is also noticed in most tracks, as Jahred takes the helm at producer in this effort. All in all, a few older fans may be somewhat satisfied by this album, but most will find it unbearable to listen to. This may be the last that we hear from (hed).p.e. for a long time.

Rating: 1/5