Make America Hate Again
| Make America Hate Again | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 1, 2018 | |||
| Genre | Hardcore punk | |||
| Length | 23:20 | |||
| Label | Bridge 9 | |||
| Slapshot chronology | ||||
| ||||
Make America Hate Again is the eighth and final studio album by the American hardcore band Slapshot. It was released on June 1, 2018 via Bridge 9 Records.[1] It is the only album to feature drummer Corey Koniz.
Background
The album was recorded at the Wild Arctic in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.[1] The instrumentation was recorded by the end of 2016, but vocals were not recorded until August 2017 due to lead singer Jack Kelly taking an extended period of time to write the lyrics for the album. So the band and the label decided to wait until 2018 to release the album. [2]
Although the album title references the "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan, vocalist Jack "Choke" Kelly has maintained that the lyrics are not political, stating that the title track is about "finally putting an end to this constant politeness in the States."[2]
Kelly noted that the album was less aggressive than previous releases. As lyrically, he found writing for Make America Hate Again to be a challenge, noting that it had become harder with age as he feels he has fewer things to be angry about. As a result, he focused deeper topics and past events."[2]
Release and promotion
Slapshot announced the album’s release on March 27, 2018.[3] In an interview with Decibel Jack Kelly commented on the album stating "More violence, More brutality. More hate, hate, hate. More cat memes. It’s all you expect from Slapshot and more."[4]
The albums first and only single "Remedy," was released on April, 6 2018.[5] The album was officially released on June, 1, 2018. Slapshot headlined a short West Coast tour in support of the album alongside Brick By Brick and Unruly Boys.[6]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Away From Life | [7] |
| metal.de | [8] |
| Ox-Fanzine | [9] |
| Scene Point Blank | [10] |
| Visions | [11] |
Make America Hate Again received mixed-to-positive reviews from independent music publications. Ox-Fanzine described the record as a "brilliant late album" and compared the style to Hatebreed, while Marek Protzak, writing for metal.de, criticized the songs for "[lacking] something truly lasting or standout."[12][9] Shawn Macomber of Decibel dubbed the album "the Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter of Slapshot albums." Calling it "a powerful offering on which creator fully understands creation and, firing on all cylinders, all previous wrinkles ironed out, carries the conceit to its gnarliest, deadliest end."[4]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Jack Kelly, Ryan Packer and Craig Silverman.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Edge Break Your Face" | 1:16 |
| 2. | "Hypocrite" | 2:07 |
| 3. | "Remedy" | 1:18 |
| 4. | "Alone" | 2:42 |
| 5. | "Cry For Help" | 1:13 |
| 6. | "Trainwreck" | 2:29 |
| 7. | "I Got Your Number" | 1:58 |
| 8. | "It’s All About You" | 3:30 |
| 9. | "Make America Hate Again" | 2:08 |
| 10. | "White Flag" | 2:07 |
| 11. | "One Last Chance" | 2:43 |
| Total length: | 23:20 | |
Personnel
Slapshot
- Jack "Choke" Kelly – lead vocals
- Craig Silverman – guitar
- Ryan Packer – bass
- Corey Koniz – drums
Technical personnel
- Chris Wrenn – production, design
- Brad Boatright – engineering
- Mick Lambrou – artwork
References
- ^ a b "Make American Hate Again – SLAPSHOT announce new record!". IDIOTEQ.com. 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ^ a b c "Interviews – Slapshot". Ox Fanzine (in German). Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ ""Make American Hate Again" - SLAPSHOT announce new record! - IDIOTEQ.com". 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
- ^ a b Macomber, Shawn (2018-05-30). "Full Album Stream: Slapshot — "Make America Hate Again"". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
- ^ "SLAPSHOT Premiere New Song". lambgoat.com. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew. "Slapshot touring behind 'Make America Hate Again' LP (dates, stream)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
- ^ Hereth, Simon (4 May 2018). "Slapshot - Make America Hate Again ::: Review (2018)". Away from Life.
- ^ "Slapshot - Make America Hate Again Review". Metal.de. May 30, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
- ^ a b "Review". Ox Fanzine (in German). Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "Album review: Slapshot – Make America Hate Again". Scene Point Blank. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ^ Tebbe, Frederik. "Slapshot: Make America Hate Again". visions.de.
- ^ "SLAPSHOT: "Make America Hate Again" - Review auf metal.de". metal.de (in German). Retrieved 2026-03-28.
Dem Hass fehlt damit letztinstanzlich etwas die Spitze, wie den Songs bei aller Aggression etwas das wirklich Nachhaltige, das Heraushebende abgeht.
[Ultimately, the 'hate' lacks a certain edge, just as the songs, for all their aggression, lack something truly lasting or standout.]