Defiance-Void terra firma

Metal Mind
1990/2008



The Bay Area thrash scene was so active once upon a time about twenty years ago. It was a very crowded scene that a few bands emerge while others didn' t get the same amount of notice. Defiance probably some for two major reasons, one being that their debut didn't come out until 1989 when thrash was already in full swing. The second is that they sounded a lot like Testament. While that is a good sound to have, Testament had already established themselves and thus Defiance had some trouble coming up with an identity of their own. However that doesn't erase the fact that Defiance were a fine thrash band. By their second album they had obviously loosed up a little as they change the tempo and go beyond the very basic rout of their debut. The playing level is certainly more efficient this time around and they are more consistent. I am not sure that's necessarily heavier though and although this album is good they would benefited from increasing the heaviness level and there. Defiance are a fine example of Bay area thrash and they improved during their all too short first run. I actually like them better now than I did back in the late 1980's/early 1990's. I think that is because their material has aged nicely which isn't something I can say about every thrash band from back then. Metal Mind does a splendid job with the re-issue as this one includes bonus tracks and a lyrics booklet.