The Defiants – 'Drive' Released : June 9, 2023 Frontiers Music

Having been teased by the folks at Frontiers Records with 3 tracks from 'Drive' since April, these newbie tracks had sparked the excitement and triggered the juices to flow for a much needed fix from 'The Defiants'... had it really been almost 4 years since their last album with 'Zokusho'

'Drive' is the overly anticipated and eagerly awaited offering by 'The Defiants, certainly taking the message out of the latest single release of 'Go Big or Go Home'... this album is a Monster in every sense, a huge presentation of 11 Penned Delights coming in at just over the 50 minute mark and features all the hallmark attributes expected from The Defiants, The Hooks, The Riffs, The Licks, The Sing-along Chorus' all packaged up and dispatched as 'Special Delivery' to the listener, lets not forget the mountains of Melody cascading freely from each track.

'Drive' is an album that after a few seconds of 'Hey Life' had me buckled up tight in the passenger seat and launched with vigour across a myriad of listening pleasantries, the tone and pace is pretty much set from the off, a Journey that just keeps bringing up musical revelations as 'Drive' powers on with No Stop signs in sight, 'Go Big or Go Home' is just an outright thumping tune, the feel good '19 Summertime' filled with those nostalgic vibes of the 80's which runs the Green Light smoothly into 'What Are We Waiting For' the pace slows down for the alluring Ballad of 'Miracle' The teasing keys intro to 'Against the Grain' before bang, the gears go up again, 'So Good' complete with the obligatory 'Woah Ohs' synonymous yet a very much loved part of this genre. The incredible scribed 'Love Doesn't Live Here Anymore' is just wow and that harmony solo...Jeezo, 'Another Time, Another Place' the final ballad on the album before heading onto the home stretch and bringing the pulses racing back up with 'The Night To Remember' and 'Nothing Gonna Stop Me Now' two such killer tracks and a perfect way to close such a strong energetic album..

I've been on a momentous voyage through a sensational piece of work, the production is simply genius, the musicality distributed from the extremities of Messrs Laine, Ravel & Mercello are a joy.. lets not forget to add drummer Van Romaine to the mix and complete such an awesome rhythm section along side Bruno Ravel, the Guitar work from Rob Marcello is Sick, Slick and Ferocious all at the same time, throw in a powerful vocal masterclass from the unblemished talents of Paul Laine at the helm and you have the fantastic new album 'Drive'

We've all had to wait 4 years for new music from 'The Defiants' but my god it was well worth the wait, I have a feeling I'm going to struggle to find a better album for 2023... It really is that good.

 Hey Life

Go Big Or Go Home

19 Summertime

What Are We Waiting For

Miracle

Against The Grain

So Good

Love Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Another Time, Another Place

The Night To Remember

Nothings Gonna Stop Me Now

 

MG