“I Hate Everything About You” is a big reason Three Days Grace can be classified as a catchy album. Gontier wastes no time in revealing his enmity for the subject of the song as he gruffly declares “I’ll let it show that I’m not always hiding / Come all the way down and watch me burn / I won’t let it show that I’m not always flying / So on the way down, I’ll watch you burn.” “Burn” establishes the antagonistic tone of the entire album with heavy electric guitar riffs from Gontier, the deep hum of Brad Walst’s bass and thrashing drums Neil Sanderson, making for a head-banging opening track. But minor complaints aside, Three Days Grace ultimately produced an edgy, aggressive and surprisingly catchy rock album with their self-titled debut.

This album has its definite flaws however, as Gontier’s vocals are a little rough around the edges and there’s a lack of certain distinctiveness to their sound. Three Days Grace was only a threesome during the time of their debut, making the buzz and moan of every electric guitar even more impressive. Although Gontier’s struggles with alcohol and drugs didn’t begin until after Three Days Grace was released, there is plenty of angst and animosity to go around in this enjoyable albeit simple debut. Its dark and angry tone have yet to be matched in a followup, as lead singer Adam Gontier’s inner demons and outer tormentors manifest themselves here better than any album since. Even three albums later, Three Days Grace’s 2003 debut remains the optimal TDG experience.

Three days grace first album song list