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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.
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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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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]