Freeroad – Do What You Feel!

Hailing from Mexico City, Freeroad bursts onto the scene with their debut album, “Do What You Feel!” This offering throws it back to the golden age of heavy metal, with soaring vocals, blazing guitars, and a youthful exuberance that injects fresh energy into a familiar sound. Let’s crank up the volume and delve into “Do What You Feel!” track by track, and see if Freeroad captures the essence of classic metal or simply echoes a bygone era.

Track-by-Track Journey Through a Retro Metal Soundscape:

• Breakthrough: The album explodes with a powerful intro. Driving drums and a searing guitar riff set the stage for a high-octane ride. The soaring vocals of Alejandro Velazco instantly recall the likes of Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson, a clear indication of Freeroad’s influences.
• Metalized Blood: This track throws in a galloping rhythm section, perfect for headbanging along. The catchy chorus is guaranteed to get stuck in your head, while the guitar solo showcases the band’s technical prowess. The lyrics are a celebration of the metal lifestyle, a theme revisited throughout the album.
• Fist of Fury: A touch of speed metal emerges here. Breakneck tempos and pummeling drums create a sense of urgency. Velazco’s vocals take on a more aggressive snarl, perfectly capturing the rebellious spirit of the genre. The lyrics are a call to arms, encouraging listeners to fight for what they believe in.
• Nightcrawler: A return to a more mid-tempo approach. This track features a haunting melody and soaring guitar leads that create a sense of atmosphere. The lyrics delve into darker territory, exploring themes of fear and isolation. This track demonstrates Freeroad’s ability to move beyond pure adrenaline-fueled metal.
• City of Lights: An instrumental interlude emerges here. Neoclassical-inspired guitar work adds a touch of sophistication to the proceedings, showcasing the band’s musical versatility. This interlude perfectly sets the stage for the following track.
• Beyond the Horizon: The album returns to a more traditional metal sound. This track features a powerful chorus and a driving rhythm section that will have you air guitaring along. The lyrics explore themes of hope and perseverance, a message of encouragement amidst the album’s celebration of rebellion.
• Do What You Feel!: The title track explodes with youthful energy. This track is a fist-pumping anthem that perfectly captures the album’s overall message of living life on your own terms. The catchy chorus and soaring guitar solo make this a potential live show favorite.
• Temple of Sacrifice: The album closes with an epic finale. This track is a slow-burning behemoth that features layered guitars and soaring vocals. The lyrics explore themes of sacrifice and devotion, a fitting conclusion to this homage to classic metal.

Verdict: 4 out of 5

“Do What You Feel!” is a thoroughly enjoyable debut from Freeroad. The album captures the essence of classic heavy metal without sounding derivative. The songwriting is strong, with each track offering a potent blend of catchy hooks, soaring vocals, and blazing guitars. The musicianship is top-notch, and the production is clear and powerful, perfectly capturing the raw energy of the music.

A minor point to consider: Listeners who prefer a more modern metal sound with complex arrangements and technical acrobatics might find “Do What You Feel!” a bit too straightforward.

However, for fans of bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Accept, “Do What You Feel!” is a breath of fresh air. Freeroad injects youthful energy into a classic sound, proving that traditional heavy metal can still be exciting and relevant in the 21st century. This debut album is a fist-pumping celebration of everything that makes metal great, and Freeroad is a band to watch.