Thrashcast Episode 29: Defiance's "Beyond Recognition" from 1992
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Thrashcast is the place to find riveting discussions on classic thrash albums, news and reviews. Your hosts are three thrash loving maniacs who grew up during the golden age of the genre. Kenneth, Billy and Jim will get together weekly to bring you a deep dive on some of your favourite thrash records.
Show Notes:
Episode Twenty-Nine: We go back to Bay area thrash and discuss Defiance's third release Beyond Recognition. This album came out March 27th 1992 on Roadrunner records to mostly good reviews. The work was a departure from the band's previous efforts because of the push towards progressive thrash. Many of the songs featured complex song structures, odd time signatures, numerous key and tempo changes, technical riffs and drumming. Unfortunately, it didn't translate into good sales due to the changing musical landscape and poor advertisement for the album. Thrash fans feel this is the band's effort, however this is long out of print.
During the recording of Beyond Recognition, vocalist Steev Esquivel temporarily left the band due to lack of focus due to drug addiction. He came back later when the band was not satisfied with their replacement vocalist. All of the tracks on the album still had Esquivel on lead vocals. Once the album was completed, it was around this time the label started to treat the band poorly. Defiance were denied a tour with Sepultura in Europe and some members actually left the band at that time. They eventually managed a short American tour, before vocalist Steev Esquival left the band in 1993.Ultimately, the Defiance disbanded in 1994.
Fun Facts: Former Heathen vocalist David White makes a guest appearance on the track Inside Looking Out doing a vocal harmony. The album cover was done by Jim Warren and not Ed Repka, as what is noted on Wikipedia. Steev Esquival went on to form Skinlab.
Kenneth Gallant, HMS
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