Defiance - The Prophecy

The San Francisco Bay area of California was once the thrash metal capital of the world. Bands like Exodus, Metallica, and Testament helped establish and define the "Bay Area Thrash" subgenre. Although these bands are still active, there are many defunct thrash bands that were born in the San Francisco Bay area in the 1980s. Defiance had previously been one of these defunct outfits. Luckily, the group has reformed (at least for now) due to the exhortations of some loyal fans.

Defiance was established in the heyday of Bay Area thrash and was active until the mid 1990s. The band was far from stable during this period and saw frequent lineup changes. Late in 2008 a new lineup of Defiance was signed to Candlelight Records and they immediately picked up where they left off, getting to the recording studio and creating The Prophecy, their first full-length release in almost 20 years.

The Prophecy maintains the traditional Bay Area thrash style that Defiance purveyed during the late 80s and early 90s. The overall feel of the album is nostalgic- Steev Esquivel's vocal performance is top rate from the get-go. Opening track "The Prion" features his trademark vocal style, drummer Mark Hernandez's blistering double bass work, as well as solid riffing and technical guitar solos and fills, courtesy of Glen Alvelais. Other tracks like "The Prophecy" and "Bastard Son" hold true to the classic thrash metal formula up until musical interlude "Eschaton". This track marks the line between the first and second halves of The Prophecy.  The album takes off after this point with "Sloth," one of the stronger tracks on the album that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. "Dissolving Around You" also deserves mention since it's the longest track on the album, clocking in at close to 5 minutes. It features multiple time changes, serious guitar solos, and ridiculous drumming. The album finishes on a high note with "Eyes of the Front," which showcases the band's musical talents in a song with fast and slow tempos.

The production of The Prophecy is notable in that it helps recreate the vintage sound that Bay Area thrash metal is known for. Prominent bass drum and high levels on vocal mics are to be expected. Although the sound is consistent and not objectionable, the overall feel of The Prophecy is not 100% cohesive, as the first and second halves of the album do not mesh together as well as they should. Nevertheless, the individual songs on The Prophecy are high caliber thrash tunes and definitely deserve recognition.

Thrash historians will without a doubt be delighted that Defiance is making music again. They will be even happier about the fact that the classic late 80s/early 90s sound is intact on The Prophecy. Those of you who are looking to hear modern and progressive elements on this album will be disappointed. Defiance definitely stayed true to their Bay Area Thrash roots with this release. Nothing new here - The Prophecy is surely a trip down memory lane, as Defiance has picked up more or less where they left off.

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*Comments:

May 25, 2010

Reviewer: The Stream

Release Date: October 19th, 2009
Label: Candlelight Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Prion
2.  The Prophecy
3.  Bastard Son
4.  The War Inside
5.  Fuel the Fire
6.  Eschaton
7.  Sloth
8.  Desert Sands
9.  Dissolving Around You
10.  Asthmaphere
11.  Eyes of the Front

Total playing time:  40:17