Today, there a kind of ‘dispute’ in the underground for bands that want to find the space into the scene using an Old School appeal, and denying as long as they can the values of modern Metal tendencies. It seems that older people forgot that they were bullied in their younger days (I still remember of fans of the 70s Hard Rock complaining a lot about VENOM’s music in the 80s), and keep things in such way. Instead of such thing, many just prefer to see modern tendencies as an evolution that would happen, liking it or not. And for those into such trenches, the work of the UK quintet DEFENCES heard on “Shadowlight” will have a deeper appeal. The band’s music can be faced as a form of Modern Metal similar to acts as SLIPKNOT and LINKIN’ PARK, or in other words, a musical work based on contrasts of tender melodic parts filled with emotions, and bombastic aggressive moments with ‘greasy’ instrumental tunes and huge amounts of groove, with massive energy flowing from the speakers.

The band shows value due its personal insight on the genre, and shows traits that will have a deeper appeal for fans of modern tendencies into Metal and Rock. Then call it Metalcore, New Metal, Alternative Metal or any other label you want, but the quintet is pretty good. Things were done on the production that “Shadowlight” has a ‘default’ sonority for Modern Metal tendencies: greasy and oppressive on the aggressive moments (but with everything defined), and clean in the melodic moments. All is done with the ‘greasy’ instrumental tunes usual for such musical trenches, so it means that it’ll not be hard to fans to understand what is being played and expressed.

For fans of such modern Metal tendencies, it’s clear that “Shadowlight” can be saw as a ‘must have’ item, with homogeneity being felt in all the songs, so dive into “The Curse” (fine contrasts between brutal parts and catchy melodies, with excellent clean vocals), “Gold in the Dark”, “Perish” (bombastic instrumental parts, with intense playing on bass and drums, and charming keyboards parts), “Ego (Maniac)”, “Silence & the Sound” (the melodic ambiences and electronic effects of the keyboards fits perfectly on the accessible appeal of this one), “Breathe It In” (another accessible song, with excellent guitars’ arrangements), “Inspirit” (wow, what a lovely and melodic short song based on a tender set of ambiences and charming clean female voices), “The Almost”, “Greatness” (another excellent accessible moment) and “Shadowlight”.

It’s obvious that fans of any modern Metal tendency will love “Shadowlight”, and must follow DEFENCES with full attention.