Obey The Brave is a Canadian metalcore quintet from Montreal and Ottawa. Unlike most young bands of this ilk that lean harder on the side of metal or hardcore, Obey The Brave’s 2012 debut album Young Blood strikes a symbiotic balance between the two genres. This makes for a ferociously healthy opening cut — “Lifestyle” gradually builds on John Campbell’s thick, sludgy riffs as Alex Erian rips into the song with bursting yelps and guttural howls. “It Starts Today” follows throwing leaden punches as drummer Stevie Morotti and bass player Miguel Lepage approximate an army of war horses galloping in unison. But it’s Campbell who displays the most versatility here with talented guitar work that kicks out hard charging riffs one moment and melodic, winding notes the next. The anthemic “Self Made” boasts overdubbed guitarmonies and gang vocals before standout cut “Live And Learn” detonates with a young, adrenaline fueled vitality. Here Erian shreds his vocal chords with a feral abandon over soaring leads that hit a sonic wall and explode into meaty phrases.