Upon exiting the ranks of Megadeth, the world eagerly awaited news as to what was next for Chris Broderick (guitars) and Shawn Drover (drums). The duo are now excited to announce their worldwide signing to Metal Blade Records for their new group Act Of Defiance, which is rounded out by Henry Derek (ex-Scar The Martyr) on vocals and Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall) on bass. They are currently recording their debut offering with world renowned producer Zeuss (Rob Zombie, Hatebreed, Shadows Fall). Look for this album to be released sometime this summer. However, in the meantime, Listen below to a sneak peek into a rough demo snippet of the track Throwback.
Broderick states, “I am so excited to finally be able to announce Act Of Defiance to the world. Shawn just finished tracking drums the first week of February and his performance and tones are simply incredible. I have started tracking rhythms and leads, as well as working with Henry to get final vocal takes while Matt will record bass at his studio. The final mix and mastering will also be handled by Zeuss.
“I am also very honored to announce that we have signed with Metal Blade Records. There is not a better label to be on than one where the employees (and owner) still understand and listen to METAL! They have shown a loyalty, backing and drive for their artists that few other labels have. As for our music, I am really enjoying the ability to create what is a killer mix of thrash and modern metal. It has a unique combination ranging from thrash to classical influences. I am very proud of what we have written and hope that you all dig it.”
Drover adds, “Having our new band, Act Of Defiance, sign with Metal Blade Records is a real thrill for me. I started my musical career with Brian Slagel and the Metal Blade family many years ago, so to come full circle at this point is a real musical home-coming, of sorts. I couldn’t be happier about that.
What thrills me the most is the fact that myself, Chris Broderick, Henry Derek and Matt Bachand all have in common is that from the get-go, we wanted this band to be 100% PURE Heavy Metal! No compromises, no ulterior motives other than making the best HEAVY METAL music we can. Metal Blade shares this vision, which really puts us all on the same page, musically.”
Bachand states, “I couldn’t be more excited to begin this new adventure with Act Of Defiance. The positive energy that has collected between the four of us in such a little amount of time has been nothing short of incredible. Writing bass lines is something new for me as well, and I am looking forward to the challenge. All the songs are coming together great and I can’t wait for the world to hear this.”
Derek comments, “I’m extremely honored and excited to be a part of AOD. Everyone has been super cool and supportive, which is always a huge plus. I know this is going to be an awesome musical experience and the fact that I’m embarking on this journey with good people means everything. Cheers.”
Brian Slagel further comments, “I am super excited to welcome Act Of Defiance to the Metal Blade family. I have known Chris and Shawn over the years and really admired their work. I am honored to be able to work with these two legendary musicians. Really excited to work with all the guys on this exciting new band.”
For more information, visit facebook.com/actofdefiancemusic.
10 Responses
WHOA! Just listen to that solo! That’s what Chris wasn’t allowed to do in MD the past two albums. Really looking forward to this new band. Although, I could do without the death metal vocals.
Agreed. All that death metal screaming and growling vocal style is shit. Otherwise Chris and Shawn are back!
I liked everything except the screaming metalcore vocals. Chris’ guitar playing is phenomenal! Very aggressive. When that section hit where the tempo jumps up, I can vision that being played live and the mosh pits swirling.
Vocals remind me a little of Sepultura with Cavalera. Not bad.
Screaming metalcore vocals. It’s why I never really got into Shadows Fall, Children of Bodom, Machine Head, the list goes on, and why so many bands with killer musical chops will never advance beyond club tours and the occasional festival gig. I can’t do the screaming vocals for more than a few tracks. This one wasn’t *as* bad as I expected – the earlier part of the song was more clean-ish but still aggressive (which is cool). If there’s a good balance of that and the screaming isn’t the dominant style, I’m interested. If not, just another “if only” band passing by. I just wish modern bands didn’t have this “we have to scream like our knees are being smashed with sledgehammers all the time” mentality. I’m fine with the occasional scream(s) for effect, but when it’s all the time… ugh – it’s tiresome. General comment/request from a lifelong metalhead to young and/or “modern” bands: you don’t have to sound like you’re in agony all the time to be “heavy”! You’re no less “metal” if you at least try to “yell in key” as Mr. Hetfield once said, or (gasp!) actually SING, instead of sounding like Cookie Monster burning alive. Aspire to be better than that, you’ll give your career a better chance to grow.
I agree with you 100%. There’s different styles of screaming vocals, all of which can sometimes fit a song if used only when needed but too many times it takes away from an otherwise slamming song when some guy is screaming throughout a song in the most non-musical way and sounding like he just cut one of his fingers off in Woodshop. I love “agressive” vocals. It’s heavy metal after all! The vocalist is not supposed to sound like some easy listening crooner. I love great musicianship, always have, and I’ve heard some incredible playing and great music and grooves by modern extreme metal bands only to have the singer ruin the song for me. What it’s created is a way for otherwise talentless vocalists to be in bands with very talented musicians. I know there’s a technique to doing screaming vocals and some of those guys are not bad, even impressive, at what they do. But the ones that just let loose with these nasal sounding, high pitched, sickly, monotone, off key screams just takes a song and make it less than what it could be. You mentioned Machine Head. Robb Flynn actually is one of the screamers I can tolerate and over time he’s started actually singing at times. But not all of those guys can do that simply because they just aren’t cut out to be singers. I can’t sing to save my ass. I’ve been playing guitar for overr 35 years, been in several bands but I just don’t have a voice for being a singer. But never has it crossed my mind “Hey, I can scream like an idiot and therefore I can front a band to!”