Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Of Mice & Men - Defy (2018)

With unclean vocalist Austin Carlile out of the band due to his health issues (among other reasons), bassist/clean vocalist Aaron Pauley now takes on the frontman role. The alt-metal direction continues from their previous album with less of their metalcore roots than before...

Despite that, Defy is a slight step up from Cold World even though they're both sitting well at 4 stars. It's more likely at this point that the band can bring in more of the new fans than keep the earlier fans. Though that's just more about the style than the instrumentation. While I enjoy Carlile's vocals, Pauley sounds better in both singing and screaming. He gives the songs more powerful defiance.

The title track opens the album in full-on triumph. "Instincts" continues the fury of the guitars/drums storm. Pauley soars through with his yells and cleans. And again in "Back to Me". Taking a more melodic turn in "Sunflower", a beautiful highlight of the band's new direction.

"Unbreakable" is another unbreakable anthem. Then the fury is toned down in "Vertigo". Their cover of Pink Floyd's "Money" has the most energy from the band since Restoring Force. Following this is "How Will You Live" which has nothing bad at all, continuing the usual heavy riffing and melodic chorus to get you headbanging.

"On the Inside" takes on more atmospheric depths in the leads and synths. That gives the song more in common with modern metalcore bands, along with the mesmerizing breakdown. Another excellent highlight! Then "Warzone" has heavy aggression suitable for the moshpit. Though the clean section is too odd and forced. Towards the end is "Forever YDG'N", continuing the "YDG" (Ya Dig?!) saga as another favorite. "If We Were Ghosts" is an atmospheric ending track to remind some of A Perfect Circle.

Defy might not keep the earlier fans around with the absence of Carlile and the band's road towards alt-metal. Still it's powered up by the catchy melody and crushing heaviness. It's a new step in keeping the band alive....

Favorites: "Defy", "Sunflower", "Unbreakable", "Money", "On the Inside", "Forever YDG'N"