Defeater - Travels [Album]

Topshelf Records

March 25, 2009, 11:09 PM

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As a rule, I hate punk. However, for the purpose of this I’m going to rip up the rulebook (look at me, I’m the burning monk, Sir Walter Raleigh, Che Guevara and Dale Winton all rolled into one neat rebellious package). I say this because within about one minute of listening to a band for the first time, I can usually tell whether or not I like them. Don’t judge me; statistics reckon that we all do it. Hypocrite. However, as the unhinged 300mph introduction to ‘Blessed Burden’, and indeed to Defeater and their record ‘Travels’, blasted out of the starting grid with its laser-accurate intricate hi-hats and stabbing chords, I knew that things were going to be slightly different in this case.

Perhaps I was wrong-footed by the tranquil artwork that accompanies the record that hints at an acoustic record, or shoegazer at least, but the intense and urgent yet well constructed and layered sound of Defeater came as a very pleasant surprise, kind of like when you crack open a bag of Revels and expect a coffee flavoured but end up with orangey delight.

Emerging at the perfect time for a band of this genre, Defeater have no reasons why they might not succeed within the hardcore community. Influenced (whether directly or indirectly, but it’s unquestionable) by the likes of peers The Bronx and Cancer Bats to name but a few, Defeater have that common I’ll-rip-your-face-off-sound but you know that deep down they’re just a bunch of guys that are really passionate about the music that they write and just want to be a part of the growth of a genre. One of the key reasons that I like Defeater is because although they wear their heart on their sleeves in terms of their influences, they have the guts to turn influences into creativity; using them as building blocks for taking a sound to the next level. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of acts that sound very similar to Defeater, but the thing is, Defeater do it A LOT better.

Stand out tracks on Travels include the percussive ‘Forgiver Forgetter’ with its early Every Time I Die-esque vocals and snaking rock n’ roll guitars, the beautifully diverse ‘Prophet In Plain Clothes’ thanks to the unexpected toggle from intense, energetic hardcore to stripped down acoustic intimacy and closing track ‘Cowardice’ that doesn’t disappoint upon fulfilling its task and brining Travels to an atmospheric, contemplative close that showcases Defeater’s great song writing abilities.

Perhaps not a varied enough an album to be hailed as a classic, but Travels could be reflected back upon in a few years as an important stage in the shaping of one of the world’s most promising new hardcore bands.

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