We’re onto album number 3 from the trio known as The Defiants.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: The Defiants
ALBUM: Drive
LABEL: Frontiers SRL
SERIAL: FRCD 1327
YEAR: 2023
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Paul Laine – lead and backing vocals, keyboards * Rob Marcello – guitars, backing vocals * Bruno Ravel – guitars, bass, backing vocals, production
Additional Musician: Van Romaine – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Hey Life * 02 Go Big Or Go Home * 03 19 Summertime * 04 What Are We Waiting For * 05 Miracle * 06 Against The Grain * 07 So Good * 08 Love Doesn’t Live Here Anymore * 09 Another Time, Another Place * 10 The Night To Remember * 11 Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now
RATING: 90/100
WEBLINKS: FB Page
Background
We’re onto album number 3 from the trio known as The Defiants. Their prior albums definitely hit the spot with the GDM readership, being a logical follow on from Danger Danger with all three personnel being involved with that band,. However with D2 no longer active (last studio album was 2009), it seems The Defiants now carry the flame into the future, along with Ted Poley‘s band Tokyo Motor Fist.
The new album’ Drive’ keeps things familiar and recognizable, if 80’s melodic hard rock is your thing. Definite traces of the aforementioned Danger Danger, the big production era of Def Leppard plus the modern edgy pop rock of Rick Springfield can be found throughout, so let’s hop in the car and go for a drive!
The Songs
‘Hey Life’ takes us out of the garage and onto the highway. It’s a boisterous affair, with chugga chugga rhythm guitars and an overall ‘wired’ sound, coupled with bashing drums coming at you head on. ‘Go Big Or Go Home’ is the first official video cut from the album, it’s another attitude laden number with numerous reference points throughout. At this point, The Defiants are demonstrating that heavier is better than lighter.
’19 Summertime’ is the song for all those convertibles on the American highways and byways. Very catchy and radio friendly. The synths make an appearance on ‘What Are We Waiting For’, the melodic quotient is much greater on this track. Good to see the lads have not lost their 80’s legacy. It’s ballad time when we reach ‘Miracle’. The smoothness is a contrast to what’s gone before but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
‘Against The Grain’ is pitched at the same sound as endorsed by the likes of Perfect Plan, H.E.A.T and their kind. Once you hear it you’ll soon know. ‘So Good’ operates as a punchy number with anthem qualities throughout. The chorus is a bit of a knockout. ‘Love Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ is a highlight for me, loads of melody, keyboards and a wicked solo from Rob. ‘Another Time, Another Place’ goes in another direction, more AOR than hard rock, Bon Jovi like on the vocals, mostly jangly guitars and tasteful synths too.
‘The Night To Remember’ reverts to a tougher sound, though the chorus is very glossy. The finale ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now’ is a further demonstration of The Defiants delivering anthem melodic rock, and though this is written in 2023, the origins of this form of music goes back three decades or more.
In Summary
Its taken four years to release this record. Blame music industry indifference, the covid nonsense as well as a public shift away from this style of music. Nevertheless, bands like The Defiants and their contemporaries still exist, so while that situation continues, we’ll keep writing about them. Well worthy of a listen.
The Defiants on Video
Go Big Or Go Home
19 Summertime
