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Defiance

      
         
         
         
     
             
Absolva are a heavy metal band from the UK formed in 2012 who released their debut album the same year. A live album followed in 2013 with their second studio album released in 2014. The bands third studio album, 'Never A Good Day To Die' was released in the autumn of 2015 with the double disc 'Defiance' released in 2017. 'Defiance' is the bands fifth album in five years.    
             
'Defiance' has progressed the bands sound in a much heavier direction than their previous album and opens with the barn storming 'Life On The Edge'. Powering on at pace, the four piece British band define the classic and traditional sound of heavy metal from the UK. Absolva contains one current member of Iced Earth and three current members of Blaze Bayley. Even with these commitments the band are proud to have released five albums in five years. The guitar buzz that breathes life into the title song 'Defiance' is pure NWOBHM influenced. Introducing a more melodic hard rock feel, 'Defiance' (the song) is an addictive slab of hard hitting, sharp edged heavy rock. Pace returns to the fore with the swash buckling 'Rise Again' striding majestically on, all catchy, infectious and head bangingly addictive. Clean and clear vocals accompany the crisp musicianship and Absolva are delivering their best work to date. A mid tempo stomping monster is unleashed as 'Fistful Of Hate' marches into sight. Very heavy guitars and a bold vocal performance give 'Fistful Of Hate' a more menacing feel as it strides on. Entering the speed metal genre 'Never Be The Same' is a rocket powered slab of out and out heavy metal. Blistering guitars and a galloping rhythm combine to power 'Never Be The Same' on at high velocity. Add a screaming guitar solo and 'Never Be The Same' becomes a firm favourite of mine. Twelve songs across fifty minutes is very good value and with a bonus disc too, 'Defiance' (the album) will be an excellent addition to your metal collection.    
             
A more solid hard rock flavour, blended with a touch of the progressive, sees 'Alarms' storm in and foot stomp heavily as it devastates all that stands in its way. Perfection is something that every band aims for, many fail, many succeed and so many more get very close...Absolva are doing a fantastic job of attaining that level, and in the shape of the acoustic led 'Connections', the band show their versatility and ability to play ballad, power ballad and mellow. A departure from their signature sound, 'Connections' is delivered with a sparkling vocal performance, full of passion and emotion. Big, bold and brash guitars sets 'Midnight Screams' off, all hustle and bustle as it rampages on, echoing everything great about the British heavy metal scene. Absolva are a British band, proudly flying the flag, and keeping the UK firmly and squarely on the international metal map. The classic buzzing guitar style is in full swing as 'Life And Death' rocks into view and relentlessly chugs on and on. Heads will be nodding hard to this one as 'Life And Death' gives us a reminder of how great the eighties evolution of British heavy metal sounded like.    
             
Bold and epic, the mid tempo anthemic stomp of 'Eclipse' reminds me a lot of British stalwarts Saxon. Pulsating rhythms and guitars that chop and chop, 'Eclipse' is addictive and has one of the catchiest choruses on the album. Energetic and frenzied, 'Who Dares Wins' is high tempo heavy rock, with buzzing guitars and galloping rhythms. Heads will be banging furiously to this one as it storms on. Majestic and epic with a touch of the glory metal genre, 'Reflection' brings the album to a close, similar to the anthemic style that American legends Manowar made famous. 'Reflection' may end the album of new material, but there is a second disc that offers so much more. The bonus disc opens with 'Harsh Reality', originally released as a single in 2016, followed by three songs ('Hundred Years', 'Live For The Fight', 'Code Red') and a drum solo which were recorded live at Huskvarna Festival Sweden, in 2016, plus new acoustic versions of three songs ('Never A Good Day To Die', 'It Is What It Is', 'Never Back Down') from the bands back catalogue.    
             
Overall, pulsating heavy metal, steeped in the traditional British metal genre with buzzing guitars, great vocals and infectious rhythms, 'Defiance' is a great album.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Never A Good Day To Die      
           
"catchy and addictive British heavy metal with blazing guitars and thundering rhythms to keep your head banging for a very long time" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Side By Side      
           
"a glorious gallop of head bang able, "foot on the monitor" style, let's conquer the world heavy metal" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Fire In The Sky      
           
"an incredibly enjoyable album of fantastic heavy metal from a band very much at the top of their game" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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