The Defiants

The Defiants deliver a sound defined by massive guitar riffs, sweeping solos, towering drum tones, and an abundance of attitude that directly evokes the peak years of hair metal. Their style aligns closely with that of East Coast glam metal act Danger Danger, a connection rooted in the fact that three of the quartet’s members previously played in that group. The band issued their first recording, the self-titled album, through Frontiers Records in 2016; three years later they returned with Zokusho, a release that refined their approach with additional studio sheen.

Established in 2015, the Defiants were assembled by singer Paul Laine, multi-instrumentalist Bruno Ravel on bass, guitar, and keyboards, and guitarist Rob Marcello, each of whom had previously performed together in the hair metal outfit Danger Danger. The project originated at the suggestion of the president of the European hard rock imprint Frontiers Records, a longtime admirer of Danger Danger who sought fresh material in the same vein. With Van Romaine added on drums, the trio tracked their debut effort, which Ravel also produced. Issued in April 2016 by Frontiers, the album presented melodic hard rock anthems packed with guitar leads and group choruses that mirrored the expansive ’80s arena style associated with Journey, Bon Jovi, and Danger Danger itself. Following a tour in support of that record, the group reconvened to record its successor, 2019’s Zokusho, which marked the arrival of drummer Steve West in place of Van Romaine.