Before the now called Euro Power Metal sub-genre - it all started due to the 'pumpkin men', right? - it was a somehow different situation for someone to refer to the Central Europe Metal scene, since this that time it was Metal with balls. No, it was not only HELLOWEEN that played as such in the legendary Walls Of Jericho (1985, Noise) album; mid-to-late 80s offered a maximum number of great bands and...DEFENDER surely was in.
When DEFENDER started off in Holland (late 1984) the scenery was quite fuzzy at the time in Central Europe. Whereas many bands were obviously putting out albums strongly influenced by the NWOBHM typhoon, there was a separate 'sector' in Germany and BeNeLux drifting fire from the ACCEPT (and ANGELWITCH and RAVEN; Britain fitted everywhere in the 80s) monuments at the time. Hence, even if RAVEN and fellow British warriors JAGUAR were among the first flirting with ultra fast (back then) speeds, the above countries blew speakers up with the (obscure or not) releases of hundreds of bands wanting to crank it up more; European Speed/Power Metal was a term born for metalheads to use in order to refer to bands of the time. DEFENDER decided to play as such (good!) and even if they were another band failing to gain some good repute (in spite of its supreme music), their one and only opus, the City Ad Mortis mini LP (originally released in 1987 via the CBS label!), stands on top of the 80s European Metal climax. See why, in this wonderful Rusty Cage re-release (six bonus tracks added!):
The 'main dish': only 3,000 vinyl copies were cut for this release in 19987, bringing it now to be a mega rarity in collector's lists. Five tunes is what the album consists of, and it's crucial to say no single track can be rated as less than exciting. Well-done instrumentation in this Speed/Power/Heavy Metal 'diamond', supported by a the perfect 'steel' production. There's plenty of melody - both due to guitar 'duals' and harmonic solos - while the tempos move on really fast, bordering to the Thrash area at times. Double-bass drumming, 100% 'metal' riffs and 'high' vocals with a great vibe are remarkable spots in this mini LP. Fans of early RAGE/BLIND GUARDIAN/RUNNING WILD, AGENT STEEL, TOXIC (with whom they did eventually tour in 1990), (Warning's) QUEENSRYCHE and the band they covered in track No.9 of this CD reviewed here will feel happy an obscure 'diamond' has emerged from the past. City Ad Mortis is evil, Die For You is melodic, Deadly Peril is venomous, In The Beginning is deadly and Counter Attack is on-the-edge.
The bonus 'goodies': both Tales Of The Unexpected and Journey come off the band's follow-up Tales Of The Unexpected self-financed single in 1989. Memorable cuts that suit the DEFENDER legacy fine (and will be loved by CRIMSON GLORY fans, too). Labour Liberates sees an 'as said - demo version (with professional playing!) while three rough takes from the band's 1990 tour are wrapping up this splendid album. The self-titled METAL CHURCH opus plus ANNIHILATOR's renowned Alison Hell are well-played by DEFENDER and do not even stiff upper lip for the 'bootleg' sound...
The time has come? DEFENDER's music reminds us how much of a drums-n'-bass-n'-guitars-n'-screamin'-vocals the whole Metal thingie used to be. Do yourself a favour and listen to this gem. As for me, I'm really looking forward to their 'reunited lineup' 2007 gig schedule; there's still magic in the air!