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New Music Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Recent Reviews
November 2024
- Voodoo Circle: Hail To The King
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October 2024
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September 2024
- Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
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August 2024
- Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
- Paralydium: Universe Calls
- Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
- Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
- All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
- Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
- Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2
The Defiants: Zokusho
The Defiants: Zokusho
Melodic Hard Rock
5.0/5.0
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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 11.09.2019 | Released: 13.09.2019
How's your Japanese? Zokusho, in Japanese, means the sequel or the next chapter. Ergo, we have The Defiants latest and second long player, Zokusho. Click on the album cover above and take a gander at the art work. Hello Tokyo. Note how the band members, Bruno Ravel (bass), Rob Marcello (guitars) and vocalist Paul Laine, are rendered in a Japanese anime style. Nice.
The Defiants
If you remember The Defiants' debut album, you will recall that it was pretty much bad ass and kick ass. All killer and no filler, it was a righteous album of exciting and entertaining melodic hard rock in an AOR wrapper.
Okay. Just repeat. And turn it up a notch. Everything louder than everything else, as Marvin Lee Aday once sang. You might find Zokusho a bit heavier, more akin to melodic heavy metal rock. Which is just fine by me. The rock rhythm and groove is raging; the riffs roaring; and the guitar solos abundant and blistering. (I tried for a three "r" alliteration with not success.) All these things are wrapped in find song melody and harmony, especially tempered by the vocal harmony and catchy choruses.
Hitting some song highlights, blazing riff rockers arrive with the party songs, Allnighter and Drink Up! With Hold On Tonite and Stay, The Defiants get into their AOR groove with two arena anthems. Also in the AOR vein is Hollywood In Headlights, a energetic rocker with fine vocal harmony and a damn fine catchy refrain. Contrary to its title, It Goes Fast has a more moderate pace, yet with excellent rhythm and groove. Simply, The Defiants have done it again, perhaps outdoing themselves. Zokusho is another excellent album of AOR melodic hard rock with a metal edge. Get it. Quite recommended.
Another Dangerdog Review
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Traditional Heavy Metal
3.5/5.0
While Steve Grimmett resurrected Grim Reaper in 2006, it took another 10 years before a new studio album hit the heavy metal underground. Walking In The Shadows ... [ Read More ]
Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.
The Bottom Line
Simply, The Defiants have done it again, perhaps outdoing themselves. Zokusho is another excellent album of AOR melodic hard rock with a metal edge. Get it. Quite recommended.
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eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]