German heavy metal, much like German cars, is something you can rely on. Sure, there are some Wartburgs here and there, but these guys know their homework when it comes to classic heavy. Defender have been formed in Balingen nine years ago and released their debut Rising High EP two years later. Last year’s single Bang Your Head Again was the first sign of life from them after several years and now, Metalapolis Records are set to release Defender’s full-length debut on March 21st.
One glimpse at the totally old school cover artwork speaks volumes and the opening title track salvo teleports us immediately back to the Walls Of Jericho/ Perfect Man/ Heavy Metal Breakdown era. The guitars are sharp and the riffs speedy, with great attention put in the guitar solos. Survivor and Time For Freedom are more of the same: quality classic heavy/speed metal, with double guitar harmonies and sing-along choruses all over. Living Runaway and Carry The World suffer from a bit uninspired choruses, but both are saved by the fantastic guitar riffs. Neverland serves as the album’s ballad, a respite from the tiresome headbanging so far, sounding like something Accept could sign upon, which is the best compliment I can come up with I this particular style. I can’t help but think it takes quite some courage and confidence to start a band in this genre where hundreds and hundreds of bands spring out of Germany every year, but Defender are even keeping their best cards for the second half of the album.
This is where the best songs come, with Granite Heart, Running Out Of Bad Times and Restless Power encapsulating everything we love about the continental power-speed scene. This trio also has the best choruses in the album so far, the song-crafting elevated to an even higher level. The perfectly-titled closing track Serenade To Life is an almost completely instrumental epic finale to this great album. I can say with hand on heart that Dying To Live possesses everything the latest albums by Helloween, Grave Digger and Primal Fear lacked. These guys not only have the fire and inspiration, but also took care of every important detail – from great sound and production and professionally-shot videos to artwork that you can glance at and enjoy during the whole play-through. Listen, check for yourselves and you’ll know.
8/10
Dying To Live will be out on March 21st and you can pre-order it from HERE
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