Defiance (band)
Defiance is an American thrash metal band from Oakland, founded in 1985. It is regarded as one of the lesser known bands from the Bay Area thrash metal scene.
History
The band was founded in late in 1985 by guitarist Brad Bowers, bassist Mike Kaufmann and drummer Matt Vander. 1986 met guitarist Doug Harrington to set up, but was replaced a short time later in the summer of the year by Jim Adams. After five months, Bowers left the band and was replaced by the returning to the band Doug Harrington.
Completed in early 1987 singer Mitch Mayes the band. Defiance hilet some gigs and recorded their first demo. After the recordings, singer Mayes again left the band and was replaced by Ken Elkinton. Shortly after, they recorded their second demo called hypothermia. Through this demo she caught the attention of Roadrunner Records, and reached an agreement with this label in the summer of 1988., The band traveled to Vancouver, Canada, and where he became their first album under the guidance of producer Jeff Waters from Annihilator on. The debut album Product of Society was published in 1989. Shortly after the publication singer Elkinton was replaced by Steev Esquivel.
In 1990 they recorded their second album called Void Terra Firma in the Prairie Sun Recording Studios in Cotati, California, on. The album was produced by John Cuniberti. In 1992 published the album Defiance Beyond Recognition. It was in the Bayview Studios in Richmond, California, recorded and produced by Rob Beaton ( Buckethead, Heathen ). In the same year Adams and Vander left end of the tape. Early 1993 were Brian Wenzel ( electric guitar ) and Mike Bennett ( drums) for a short time with the band. Guitarist Jim Adams soon returned and the band focused on live performances and on writing new songs. Tyson Leeper joined as the new drummer for a short time the band while vocalist Steev Esquivel again decided to leave the band. Dave White ( Heathen ) joined as the new vocalist for the band, along with drummer Paul Palmer. Together they recorded the demo Wasting Creation, which was produced by Rob Beaton.
That same year, the band broke up. Some members formed the band Inner Threshold, but soon broke up again, so that some members, in turn, formed a new band called Under. Under sparked in 1999 again.
In 2005, Defiance was back together with the four original members, drummer James " Flatline " Raymond and worked toward another album. In November 2006, died guitarist Doug Harrington. The band recorded before the project in honor of Harrington quit and sat so with Mark Hernandezam drums work on.
In September 2008, Defiance signed a contract with Candlelight Records. Their new album The Prophecy was released on 19 October 2009. Following the publication of Mark Hernandez and Steev Esquivel left the band to devote themselves to their bands Forbidden and Skinlab. Shawn Bozarth joined as new guitarist and Keven Albert as the new singer for the band. On December 19, 2009 in Berkeley, California, they played their first concert in 15 years. With Burton Ortega is a short time later also found a new drummer.
On the official website of the band early January 2012 was given of the dissolution.
Style
Defiance played on their first album classic Thrash Metal from the 1980s. The game pace was always kept it high. Already on the next album found progressive elements input into the music. In their third album Beyond Recognition, the band turned more clearly the progressive thrash metal. It contains odd cycles, complex song structures and multiple tempo changes. Also the melodic vocals of singer Steev Esquivel is significantly different from the first album. On her most recent album The Prophecy Defiance returned to simpler structures. Critics saw here also too great a resemblance to the last albums the band Testament.
Discography
- Hypothermia (Demo, 1988, self-released )
- Product of Society (Album, 1989, Roadrunner Records)
- Void Terra Firma (Album, 1990, Roadrunner Records)
- Beyond Recognition ( album, 1992, Roadrunner Records)
- Wasting Creation ( Demo, 1994, self-released )
- Insomnia ( Compilation, 2007, Metal Mind Productions )
- The Prophecy (Album, 2009, Candlelight Records )