Rock/Review GUIDES - FAILURE / DEFINES
GUIDES is a modern hard rock band blending the textured aggression of nu metal with the emotional depth of post-hardcore, delivering a sound built on heavy riffs, atmospheric layers, and melodic intensity. The band has quickly risen through the regional heavy scene, sharing stages with Sevendust, Taproot, Cold, Orgy, and Attack Attack! while building a reputation for raw, high-energy live performances.
“FAILURE / DEFINES” by GUIDES is an explosive and emotionally charged single that solidifies the band’s place within the modern heavy music landscape. Building on the momentum of their previous release “DRAIN,” the track dives deeper into a sonic identity shaped by intensity, vulnerability, and controlled chaos.
Blending the textured aggression of nu metal with the atmospheric urgency of post-hardcore, “FAILURE / DEFINES” thrives on contrast. Crushing riffs collide with layered melodic passages, creating a push-and-pull dynamic that mirrors the song’s central theme—the tension between self-destruction and self-realization. The track feels both volatile and deliberate, capturing the emotional weight of internal struggle without losing its sense of direction.
A key factor in the song’s impact is the continued collaboration with producer Zac “ZROKK” Diebels. Drawing influence from the late ’90s and early 2000s Sacramento heavy music scene, the production strikes a careful balance between polish and rawness. Every element feels intentional, yet nothing is overly refined to the point of losing its edge. This allows the band’s emotional core to remain front and center.
Jonathan Joseph’s vocal performance is particularly compelling, shifting between intensity and introspection with a natural fluidity. Rather than simply delivering lyrics, he inhabits them, giving the track an added sense of urgency and authenticity.
Ultimately, “FAILURE / DEFINES” is a powerful statement of growth and identity. It captures a band refining its voice while staying true to its raw foundation—resulting in a track that is as cathartic as it is sonically immersive.