Firstly, I want to talk about the opening track on the album, “Guiding Light.” Most songs I listen to that fall into the hardcore genre unmercifully blast you in face with ferocity and brutality; however, I get something that sounds like keyboards? It was pretty much a complete left urn from what I expected but it didn’t kill any sort of momentum for the song to progress. What I enjoyed the most about this song is the vocal performance. Going from the yelling, screaming and growling of lead vocalist Alexander Costachescu to the melodic singing of bassist Griffin Sallmen was really well done and set the tone for the rest of the album.

 

Next up is the title track “Home Is Where You Make It.” Start to finish, it’s just a metal aggression where all the aspects - from assaulting guitar riffs and heart crushing drum work - came together to make it one of the heaviest songs on the album. Being the guitar freak that I am, I could hear bits of thrash and hard rock mashed into today’s more brutal metalcore and deathcore type riffs. Listening to this song left my hands aching to grab my guitar, turn my amp up to 11 and blow the walls out of my house.

 

The last one that caught my attention, which is also my favorite off the record, is “Making Memories.” It tends to follow a metalcore style with a little bit of an alternative feel and sound, this song is comparable to Atreyu. I just love the way it’s almost an anthem for seizing the day, making the most of every moment and persevering, so when you look back, you will have no regrets. Alexander states at the beginning of the song, “These past few years, we’ve been through thick and thin/ After everything, our undying devotion has kept us on the road we chose.”

 

In a press release, guitarist John Hughes had this to say on his band’s album, "Home Is Where You Make It is about uplifting people even in their darkest moments. In the album we've blended a wide range of influences to create a unique sound that has something everyone can enjoy." After sitting down and really giving this record a listen, I couldn’t agree more with this statement. Be sure to pick up your copy at any online digital music retailers and keep watch on your local music scene, I believe these guys could put a few things in perspective for you.