Definitions by Farewell to Freeway straddles that fine line between fairly brutal metalcore and syrupy, radio friendly emo. When it works, as on the catchy yet heavy "Speak Your Words", this young outfit seems destined for something big, yet when they try to force pop/emo/alternative choruses into an otherwise crushing metalcore piece, like they do on the title track, it just sounds like one convoluted mess. In instances when these youngsters go for the juggular on metal anthems such as "Risk It All" and "Bat Wings", this formula really works, as these tracks are filled with melodic yet heavy guitar riffs (and some pretty tasty harmonies & squeals to boot) and effective growls punctuated by just enough clean vocals to temper the brutality. The closest Farewell to Freeway gets to an all out radio friendly material here is "The Awakening" where the majority of the song features catchy & squeaky clean melodic vocals, with the shouts coming during the chorus. Chances are Definitions might be a tad too emo-ish in spots for the extreme metal crowd, and a bit too brutal for the alternative music fan. Farewell to Freeway can certainly write a catchy tune, and they have the right attitude to play in the metal world, but I think they first need to figure out just what audience they want to target their music to.
Track Listing
1. Sound Minds
2. Bat Wings
3. The Desperate Age
4. Lemmings
5. Speak Your Words
6. Definitions
7. The Glory Days
8. Convictions
9. Risk It All
10. The Awakening
11. What Happens In Viper City, Stays In Viper City
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