ABSOLVA – Defiance

6/10

ABSOLVA - Defiance - 6/10

6/10

Summary

Rocksector Records
Release date: July 28, 2017

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User Review

8/10 (1 vote)

Defiance, a double album, is the latest release from Absolva, a band with a strong pedigree: Chris Appleton, Guitar & Lead Vocals (Iced Earth), Luke Appleton, Guitar & Backing Vocals (Blaze Bayley), Martin Mcnee, Drums (Blaze Bayley), and Karl Schramm, Bass & Backing Vocals (Blaze Bayley). Their sound falls solidly in line with their professional experience and cited influences such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Motörhead, Black Sabbath, Dio, Accept, and Thin Lizzy.

Disc One features all new studio content and Disc Two contains a mix of live recordings and studio tracks consisting mostly of new acoustic versions of songs from earlier in the band’s career. The mix on Disc One is heavy on vocals, and the drums lack bass and have a hollow-sounding snare which struggle to propel the band. Disc Two features live tracks with a lighter mix on the vocals but repeats the drum issue. The vocals on acoustic tracks are so hot it’s often painful at high volume.

The band shares that the album has insanely catchy choruses, an unmistakable lead vocal, and expressive, passionate, and viciously fast guitar work. The first half of Defiance Disc One admirably lives up to the marketing. “Rise Again” comes closest to the ideal with up-tempo pacing mixed with mid-tempo bridges, high speed guitar shredding, and a hook-laden chorus. Absolva is at its best when mixing tempos in songs as “Life On The Edge”, “Alarms”, and “Life And Death”. The second half of Disc One struggles to meet the ideal. “Connections” has an acoustic, keyboard, and vocal intro which lingers for five minutes before the plug is mercifully pulled. “Reflection” attempts to create an epic sound but is derailed by awkward lyrics sung with syllables drawn out to distracting lengths. Disc Two is a curiosity recommended for serious fans only.

Defiance features inspired guitar work and admirably reaches toward excellence, but leaves room for improved song writing to include more memorable choruses and the creative use of tempo changes.

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Author

Zac Halter

Zac was a reviewer here at Metal Express Radio, hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. His interest in heavy music began in the 70s with his father’s Johnny Cash albums. After cousins introduced him to Steppenwolf, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, KISS, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, Johnny Cash didn’t stand a chance. The 80s were spent in full pursuit of everything Metal: searching for new music at record stores, listening to albums, studying the covers and sleeves, and attending concerts. In the 90s, he preferred Death Metal over Grunge and hosted the Death Metal Juggernaut on WUPX in Marquette, Michigan. It was advertised as the only prime time Death Metal radio show in the country.
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