An amalgamation of US and UK influences, German heavy metal really took off during the 1980s thanks to the work of artists like Accept, Helloween, and Running Wild. It’s where these younger musicians Defender come from, cutting their teeth in this style since arriving on the scene in 2016. Their debut EP Rising High in 2018 set the stage for a “Beyond Darkness” single follow-up the next year, before becoming silent like numerous others in those plague-like pandemic years. Metalapolis Records heard potential in the band’s speedy, power metal foundation, hence we have a proper first full-length in Dying to Live.
Those who live for the unison, choir/gang-like choruses, uplifting vocal melodies, culturally enhanced guitar lines/riffs, as well as double kick-driven tempos should revel in the performances and atmosphere portrayed in these ten tracks. Dennis Bauer and Christoph Ott weave magical unison harmony axe parts while filling their main riff duties with the right aspects of power, speed, and finesse – taking songs like “Time For Freedom” (with its cooler Maiden-esque serene bass instrumental sequence from Fabian Bartl) and “Running Out of Time” into those heroic salvos fans clamor to savor. Certain sonic embellishments create that next level of supreme honor and valor – be it through triumphant keyboard spots, bells, or similar textures, but never deviating from the true traditional electricity pulsating in the main compositions. The energetic fill combinations next to the sheer tenacity on display for drummer Hannes Stengel pushes the opening title cut to mandatory set list staple status as well as the galloping passages throughout “Living Runaway” – while his restraint in the ballad “Neverland” proves he can maintain adequate, serviceable work mechanics when called for.
Dennis also doubles his role for Defender in the vocal capacity. He would not be considered an upper, eagle-high voice in that Dickinson, Dio, or Halford elite class – his delivery and abilities more in a Teutonic-oriented, working-class mid-range template similar to the work of Running Wild or early Helloween. Knowing the strengths to emphasize bigger than life choruses keep songs like “Survivor” and “Restless Power” chugging along in speed-like glory, where once again the fiery leads and musical foundations carry the workload for fist-waving glorious times. Clocking in at a more than satisfactory 43 minutes and change, the tones and production values also possess this natural 80s-like charm – allowing organic aspects to trump digital, glued to the grid final outcomes.
For this scribe’s first foray into Defender, Dying to Live is another high impact release that should keep the NWOTHM movement kicking to higher degrees – as well as fuel the desire for older artists to elevate their game on new studio records down the line.