DEFIATORY is a Swedish Thrash metal band that has signed to Black Lion Records since they began their career as a band in 2015. They released a full-length album in 2016 called Extinct and followed that up with their sophomore album Hades Rising in 2018. Now in 2022 they have returned with a new album called Apokalyps, in which the band takes a more high tempo and aggressive approach to the lyrics and music in the tracks themselves.

The album begins with the track "Apocalypse" and has for the most part, clean vocals throughout, including some snarled growls. The opening track does come with pace and has a fair amount of Thrash-filled riffs to get the head moving. Along with the Thrash you are pulled into a lot of melody with the lead guitar at the forefront of this. Tranquillity comes in time for some catchy guitar before the pace quickens and a nice solo takes you to the end of the track. "Only War" is an old-school Thrash track that comes with good production that gives it a feeling of a TESTAMENT from the late 80's, but highly produced in which you lose the "jam out in the studio" vibe to it. But that should not take away from what is a good sounding track. The next track "Belligerent and Hostile" would strike a chord with ICED EARTH fans, as the vocals are a reminder of the Matt Barlow days, and the music itself reflects the band, but with less of a sinister sound. The drums hold the tempo of the song as the instruments drive the chords forward to create a hostile track for the pit.

The track "Into the Unknown" is a standout on the album. It includes some layered vocals to add a little more effect to the lyrics. The opening has some pounding drums that turn into a classic Thrash metal riff with the lead guitar adding melody over top of it. Galloping riffs along with a screeching solo that is followed up by one that is a little more smoother and easier to digest. There is a little bit of technical work after the duelling of solo's, just before the song finishes up. "No Place to Hide" is a two-minute blast that creates some real pandemonium in the middle of the album. The sound has a kick in the ass more than the other tracks, but I am not sure if it reaches the effect it is meant to have. The next few tracks carry a little more intensity than the tracks leading up to them. "Assassinate" is a track that can catch your attention with some cool vocals and is pretty melodic without losing the aggressive tempo. The album ends on "Counting Bones" and it begins with some catchy and well played guitars that build the song up until it opens up into some frantic drums. Although the song does catch your attention, the opening and closing guitars are what do it for me mainly due to the fact that it is something that sounds a bit different from most of the album.

There is a lot to like about the album, the vocals are good, the instruments are well played, and the drums are the driving force that the tracks need to achieve the Thrash effect. The album is mixing and produced well as it sounds spot on, but the songs could use some variety in the structure at times you can guess what the next approach will be. With this being the third album put out, the show seems to keep on rolling nicely for these Swedish metalheads.