Travels is the debut album of the Massachusetts based band Defeater. They formed in 2004 and Travels was first released in 2008 in the States. Since that day they have found a new home in Bridge Nine Records, who re-released Travels on a global scale.

 

Defeater plays a style of hardcore that sometimes is described as emotional hardcore (don’t confuse it with emocore though!). A lot of screams and a singer who wears his emotions on his sleeves. Their music can be compared with bands like Modern Life Is War and Have Heart.

 

The first thing that immediately drew my attention was the nice package that was send to us. It is made of materials which are 100% recycled. This is something that’s very important to the band. The wellbeing of the planet is one of their main concerns. It’s just not something that can be made up out of the lyrics, since the lyrics on Travels are telling a life story of a fictive character. I would like to redirect readers to their MySpace for a comprehensive explanation of the story. A very original theme for a hardcore band I must say!

 

Travels catapults Defeater directly in the upper echelons of hardcore music. Their music is of a high standard, which is remarkable for a debut album. I don’t think that’s it suitable music for every run of the mill hardcore fan though. It’s full of emotions and energy and because of this it can be very tiresome to listen to. I can only digest this disc properly, when I’m in the right mood for it. It’s not music you put on when you’re having your dinner. It’s just too damn stressful!

 

One problem that I do have with this album is that every song tends to sound alike. I miss a bit of variation in pace and song structure. When you're not listening carefully one might think that one’s listening to one huge song. This album definitely needs your attention to really enjoy every aspect of it. When all is said and done, I must say that Bridge Nine has, again, found a diamond in the rough. This band could become huge in this genre!