Defiance-Beyond Recognition

Metal Mind

1992/2008



By 1992 the thrash scene like many other genres of metal and hard rock was falling out of favor. That didn't stop Defiance though as they were actually getting better on this their third album. On their first two releases Defiance were very much like fellow Bay area thrashers Testament only maybe an album behind them style wise. However while many other bands of this style were slowing down, Defiance actually became heavier and faster as they went along. Unfortunately the fan base for this type of music was slimming down so not as not people were witnessing the fairly impressive transformation that Defiance made over the course of just a few years. The lyrics were the same old thing, but the playing had gotten tighter as they worked on more pace changes. The sense of control that the band administer to the tracks on this album is certainly worth noting. Unlike a number of their peers, Defiance were not out to become more accessible. They knew the brand of metal they wanted to play and they just kept chipping away at it and growing stronger at their craft. Their music is the same type of thrash that was so big say around 87-90. It still worked in 1992 because their songwriting had grown leaps and bounds from their 1989 debut "Menace to society". This re-issue includes seven bonus tracks with some live songs and some demos. Once again another impressive package from the kind people at Metal Mind who know to add on the extras. So the third release from Defiance is definitely worth getting for fans of old school thrash.