Freestate - Surrender

Thu 6th Sep, 2007 in Music Reviews

Freestate’s album Surrender was released quietly in August, while they were doing shows in home state Victoria and Adelaide. The 13 songs are common to the genre of nu-metal and they would have played some of these live in their recent support slots against known scene bands The Butterfly Effect and Karnivool.

Freestate dedicate the release to the death of a friend – - œOur Beloved Fotini – œTina’ Koutsofrigas.’ Liner notes detail that she was, “the woman that showed us that compassion, understanding and persistence can move mountains and that Love never dies.”

The press release tells that the woman was a close friend of the band who lost a battle with cancer. Its mention gives importance to the dedication, that may have been ignored by most readers, who would not be wrong to assume that the meaning may be more personal than public.

It is not apparent that a change in band direction resulted from her passing. Nor did the sadness give reason for the emotion that was unique to this metal. The lyrical content of songs points to ordinary metal themes of self-discovery, metamorphosis and relationship emotion. Looking closely, the song ‘Twice Alive’ mentions “angels”, while another titled ‘Phoenix’ talks of a “disease”, which could be related to friend Tina’s passing?

Whether these are Tina’s odes (or not), it is clear is that her death brought Freestate closer to the emotional metal realities that might have been set down by genre and shaped their initial sound.

The title song ‘Surrender’ has the traditional rap moments recognised in finer nu-metal emulating the 90s era. “Once in a while someone comes along and makes you smile, with an open heart, an open mind.” The Surrender lyrics detail the story of a love relationship. The acoustic end alludes toward the delicate, calmer moments of 70s metal music that should make any fan smile in appreciation.

The title suggests that people should – œSurrender’ to the prospects of love, and emotion. Surrender yourself to the new metal act Freestate.