Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: DEFIANT; independently unsigned, hailing from Croatian grounds - performing Death/Black Metal, on their debut EP entitled: "Vanguards Of Misrule" (released May 27th, 2022). Since formation in 2005; the quartet in question have a demo entitled: "Promo 2008" (released August 2008), a compilation entitled: "Promo 2008 + The End Of Beginning" (released August 2008), a split entitled: "Ways Ov Damnation" (released December 24th, 2020), 4 full-length studio albums entitled: "The End Of Beginning" (released 2006), "Era Of Substitution" (released September 2012), "Morbid Spiritual Illness" (released October 2015), "Insurrection Icon" (released May 25th, 2018) and this here debut EP entitled: "Vanguards Of Misrule". 5 tracks ranging around 22:37; DEFIANT arranges an intricately designed formula on some heavy-hitting Death/Black Metal developments.

Opening up with this ominous yet jarring spoken word introduction; "Dii Inferi" begins the record with rampantly rompy remedy, belting a clobbering foundation in borderline bludgeons of wildly rushing snares & scouring malice. Manifesting with monstrously meaty malignancy amongst an amplified adrenaline in boisterously bouncy frenzies, barraging eardrums with throttling thuds & sturdy weight, slaying with punchy melody amongst a killer laceration mobility that showcases synergetic stability. Kris on lead guitars revs up his axe with razor-sharp rips & shredding dexterity, dynamically rifting with riveting hooks amongst a concretely gritty attribute in executing gnarly distortion while unleashing some monolithic stridency for good measure. Tempos relentlessly stampede with steamrolling trailblazing & symbolic retribution for blasphemous intent; the titular track surges with more crunchy calamities in which pierce through you with striking pursuits of some sonically seamless technicalities, fueling a chiseling slab of some solid but diabolical flexibilities in flickering bombast and berserking chugs that ramifies with these radically wicked volatilities in extreme overdoses of rapidly swift nimbleness that's most engaging.

T.K. on vocals soars with uproarious throatiness on raspy gutturals and grumbling growls, barking furiously as bellowing grunts fabricate a deadly aesthetic in bleeding but cordial gruesomeness. "Contra Omnes" elements a frantic impact in impulse distinction; as distinguished but hybrid experimentation merges these subgenres with virulent viscerality, venomously sulfurous bombardments inject an infectious but flickering strife within Zoran's thumpy bass audibility... rumbling with reverberating viciousness & piledriving rambunctiousness, while smacking precision from hammering drummer Sead also creates a bruising but bestial forcefield in frolicking/galloping firepower expertise that supplies with some vibrantly potent tactics to boot. Banging penultimate track "Expulsion Of The Triumphant Beast" maniacally razes the roof with a firing all cylinders tremble, where nothing but blackened, instrumental songwriting musicianship provides some snappy conjurations in salubriously vehement versatility while utilizing that ritualistic momentum for a dark but profusely robust trepidation that's rather tremoring while cavernously complex.

Overall concluding "Vanguards Of Misrule" with the finale epic cover of FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM's "Dawnrazor"; I am compelled to say that DEFIANT delivered a healthy dose in some prolific Death/Black Metal mastery, tastefully perpetrated - this short yet sweet EP offers some systematic riffage & pummeled pounds that pulverize you with an abhorrent decimation in cryptic but avant-garde towerings that will make you want to break chairs over other chairs in no time. The writing process is crafted with synthetic deathliness and enjoyably entertaining headiness that makes this release worthy of spinning while replaying a good bunch of times, an intriguing discovery should one fancy an experience in devastating Death/Black Metal beefiness in hellish havoc but evil empowering desecration that will surely unleash your inner demon in no time - do check it out until the next release!