American hardcore music seems to be mutating minute by minute. Starting out as a kind of extra heavy punk with sing-along choruses, hardcore in recent years has added a ton of heavy metal elements and has experimented with highly bizarre and complex rhythms and time changes. Well, with The Hope Conspiracy, we get the best of both worlds. The songs are challenging and will definitely appeal to those who like the new, more sophisticated form of hardcore but at the same time, they are catchy and don't go over your head like many of the newer bands do. The music is harsh and abrasive but not to the point of insanity. Production is powerful but kind of on the dry side.

"Endnote" doesn't outstay its welcome, that's for sure. The record is a mere 27 minutes but it's so focused, the listener doesn't feel cheated. There's no wasted motion here, no long intros or samples or showing off. I do wish that the bellowing vocals had shown some more variation, as they definitely veer into monotony over the course of the record.

Word has it that they will soon be adding a second guitarist. It should be interesting to see where this band goes in the future.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2002 Year Book Volume 2 at  garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2001-and-2002.