Review: Defeat – 'Rise'

DEFEAT
'Rise'
SELF-RELEASED

It's been two years since Defeat's last outing 'You Know Who You Are', but the Hertfordshire-based electro duo have definitely spent their time well. The band's old school ebm meets industrial flavours have been further honed on their seventh studio release, 'Rise', and the result is definitely a shift in gear. 

The album still keeps the fundamental influences of Nitzer Ebb, Front 242 and Front Line Assembly at the head of the charge, but as with their last outing, the modern club elements see another big increase in presence. The result is bigger beats, bigger synths and bigger dance floor potential with tracks such as 'The Phoenix', 'Dirty/Sick', 'The Fatalists', and 'Nothing You' providing a strong and driven presence.

While the likes of 'Rage', 'The Hurt', and 'Rise' as well as the sumptuous closer 'Live Your Life' up the emotional quota of the album with a more minimal and focussed approach reflecting their old school roots and adding a couple of little twists for good measure.

Production-wise this is the best the band have ever sounded. There are still the odd rough spots, but in comparison to the last two albums, 'Rise', is easily their strongest showing to date, that is accessible, dance-friendly and, at times, emotional.

'Rise' is a short, but strong album. It mixes up their previously tried and tested formula and takes risks where it needs to. The end result definitely pays of for the duo, particularly with tracks like 'Dirty/Sick', 'Rise', and 'Live Your Life'. They're moving out of their comfort zone with every release and the results speak for themselves. It would be great to get a follow-up to this album sooner rather than later but with the last two-year gaps between albums it is evident that Defeat like to take their time, and to be fair, it does yield results for them.

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Review: Defeat – 'You Know What You Are'

DEFEAT
'You Know What You Are'
SELF-RELEASED

It's been two years since the last release from the Hertfordshire-based electro duo Defeat in the form of 'Seek Help', which had been a long time in the making. Recalling the likes of Nitzer Ebb, Front 242 and Front Line Assembly the album's simple but pleasing rhythmically-orientated style was instantly recognisable and undeniably catchy. Fast forward to 2015 and the duo are ready to unleash their anticipated follow-up EP 'You Know What You Are' and cement their place in the UK electronic underground.

The band's old school flavour is once again front and centre, but this time there is a bigger injection of more modern club elements which provides the band with a more well-rounded sound and more dance floor potential. The beats are bigger, the synths are fresher and there are more nods to the modern industrial sound without betraying the core of their formula.

Tracks such as 'Want', 'Twist', 'Resist', and 'Goodbye' really show off the best of the band with their blend of early 90's ebm and modern industrial elements combining to create some great dance tracks. While the likes of 'Attention Seeker' and 'Care For Me' explore a darker but no less catchy sound that draws on their roots but still giving them the modern sheen they deserve.

The remixes courtesy of X-Kin, Ruinizer and Paresis give the tracks even more club potential, especially the daringly punchy re-workings from Ruinizer. But each band brings something different to the mixes that will extend the potential of the originals.

The production on 'You Know What You Are' has come on in leaps and bounds. The songs sound bigger and crisper. The instrumentation sounds decidedly more modern, and the vocals sit within the mix a lot more comfortably than before. They have evidently worked hard to give this album the polish it rightly deserves.

'You Know What You Are' is a big step up in quality from Defeat. The band are reaching their potential and cranking out some great songs that will appeal to the current climate. It will be interesting though to see what curve balls they can throw on future releases to keep evolving their sound on the next full-length outing.  

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Review: Defeat – 'Seek Help'

DEFEAT 

'Seek Help' 

STATIC DISTORTION RECORDS 

Defeat have their roots back in the early 90s electro-industrial act Seek Help, out of the ashes of which Defeat formed. But as with a lot of promising acts, real life commitments soon got in the way and the project was put on ice until 2011. Cue a couple of EPs and a deal with Static Distortion Records and the duo's full-length début is finally ready to see the light of day.

The band's early 90s roots are still very much at the front of this album. Simple and rhythmic it recalls the likes of Nitzer Ebb, Front 242 and Front Line Assembly in particular. But it doesn’t feel outdated, or even particularly “retro”. The production instead feels very clean and modern, which enhances the rhythm orientated sound quite nicely for some serious dancefloor potential.

Songs such as 'Fear', 'Revenge', 'Wish You were Dead' and 'Scars' all have that nice old school flavour to them, and a nice slow pace that makes them both easy to sit and listen to, as well as get up and move to. But after twenty years of songwriting you'd expect this kind of quality wouldn't you?

It's not 100% perfection though. There are a couple of rough patches here and there, and sometimes the vocals don't quite seem to sit right in the mix. But these are pretty minor observations. On the whole it's an accessible and danceable album with plenty of club and live potential.

This is a good starting point for the duo, and they'd be wise to follow this up sooner rather than later. But they shouldn't be afraid to mix things up a little. Their particular formula is very effective. But it does begin to feel a little safe over the course of eleven tracks. But it is still a solid foundation and it will be interesting to see how they continue to build Defeat as a project.

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