"To gain airtime for their music video, Hatebreed turned to the director of Spider-Man for production, ultimately earning a ban from MTV's Headbanger's Ball."
In an unexpected turn of events, the music video for Hatebreed's song "I Will Be Heard" was banned from MTV due to content that did not align with the network's broadcasting standards in the early 2000s. However, this ban was not the end of the story for the heavy metal band.
Jamey Jasta, Hatebreed's frontman, revealed that he managed to get the video aired by "infiltrating the system." This involved his role as host of MTV's flagship heavy metal series, Headbanger's Ball. Jasta's strategic involvement within MTV's programming allowed him to bypass the usual gatekeeping and have the video aired despite the prior ban.
The music video for "I Will Be Heard" was a high-production affair, directed by Marc Webb, who would later direct the first two installments of The Amazing Spider-Man. Despite the production value, MTV initially refused to play the video.
Currently, Hatebreed is touring Europe, with Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall) playing guitar in the stead of Wayne Lozinak, who was sent home from the tour in June after being diagnosed with a non-cancerous brain tumor. Guitarist Lozinak's absence has been temporarily filled by Carl Schwartz of First Blood and Terror on bass duties.
In an exclusive interview with Metal Hammer, Jamey Jasta named "I Will Be Heard" as an essential track that defines Hatebreed's career. He also revealed five other songs that he believes embody the band's spirit. Jasta believes that MTV playing a Hatebreed video was crucial for him to get the job hosting Headbanger's Ball until 2007.
However, not everything has been smooth sailing for the band. Ex-bassist Chris Beattie is suing the band and Jamey Jasta over his dismissal in November 2024. According to the suit, Jamey Jasta informed Beattie that he was being let go due to allegations of harassing a Live Nation security guard, but Beattie calls the allegation "patently untrue." Hatebreed has yet to publicly comment on Beattie's suit.
Despite these challenges, Hatebreed continues to make waves in the music industry. Last week, they released their first new song since then, Make The Demons Obey. The band's ninth album is expected to come out later this year.
Hatebreed will play at La Grange du Charfait in Saint-Paul-en-Pareds, France, tonight (August 1). Jamey Jasta extended a shout-out to Metallica, who appeared on an episode of Headbanger's Ball with him in 2003. In the same interview, Jasta also name-dropped Madball.
As Hatebreed continues to push boundaries and defy expectations, their legacy in the heavy metal genre remains undeniable.
[1] Metal Hammer (2022). Exclusive Interview: Jamey Jasta on Hatebreed's Career-Defining Tracks. [Online]. Available: https://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/exclusive-interview-jamey-jasta-on-hatebreed-s-career-defining-tracks-2564838
[2] Loudwire (2022). Hatebreed Frontman Jamey Jasta Recalls How He Got MTV to Play a Banned Music Video. [Online]. Available: https://loudwire.com/hatebreed-frontman-jamey-jasta-recalls-how-he-got-mtv-to-play-a-banned-music-video/
- Hatebreed's frontman, Jamey Jasta, spoke extensively about essential tracks that define their career in an interview with Metal Hammer.
- In the same interview, Jasta mentioned Madball alongside Metallica, who appeared on an episode of Headbanger's Ball with him in 2003.
- Jasta’s strategic involvement within MTV’s programming allowed him to bypass the usual gatekeeping and have the "I Will Be Heard" video aired despite the prior ban.
- Currently, Hatebreed is touring Europe, with Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall) playing guitar and Carl Schwartz of First Blood and Terror on bass duties, following Wayne Lozinak's temporary absence due to a non-cancerous brain tumor.
- Hatebreed released their first new song since then, Make The Demons Obey, last week and are expected to release their ninth album later this year.
- Ex-bassist Chris Beattie is currently suing Hatebreed and Jamey Jasta over his dismissal in November 2024, alleging that the harassment allegation levied against him was "patently untrue."
- Jamey Jasta managed to get the "I Will Be Heard" video, initially banned from MTV, aired by "infiltrating the system," leading to his role as host of MTV’s flagship heavy metal series, Headbanger's Ball.
