If someone asked me what the next album I was reviewing was going to be and I answered: "The new one from Farewell to Freeways." I am sure I would probably receive more than a few puzzled expressions.
For one, it is highly unlikely they would have heard of them; and for second, the band name does not sound like something a metal guy like me would be listening to. Seriously, it sounds like another non-descript screamo/emo act that would be sure to boil my blood. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against those genres, personally, I just find the style to grate on my tastes; although, there are exceptions to every rule.
The thought that this was another screamo/emo act was in my head when I pressed play. With great trepidation I put on the headphones for what was surely going to be an uphill battle. To my surprise, it was not one "those" acts, but rather it is more in line with the metalcore genre.
The album is filled with muscular riffs and melodic harmonies; it is very catchy. This quintet from Ontario, Canada, plays the line between complete heaviness and accessible melody. In my opinion, they play that line very well, complete with the tools that could push them in either direction. It is interesting to listen as the two sides of the same band compete with each other, always arriving at the finish neck and neck.
It really is strange listening to a band that plays everything towards the middle, yet still comes across as intriguing and filled with talent. On one side you have Killswitch Engage-heavy riffs with a healthy dose of growled vocals. On the other side there are keyboard melodies, clean singing in harmony, and much lighter guitar lines. It would seem that for the band to truly succeed one of those two halves would have to give ground. At least that is how the surface seems.
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