Definance Box Set Details Revealed

Metal Mind Productions will release "Insomnia", a three-CD digipack containing remastered versions of the following DEFIANCE albums: 1989's "Product of Society", 1990's "Void Terra Firma", and 1992's "Beyond Recognition". This special collector's edition includes classic material from Roadrunner Records' archives, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology and released on golden discs. The three-CD digipack edition is limited to a hand-numbered 2,000 copies and contains a 28-page booklet with lyrics to all songs, full story of the band, and over 20 bonus tracks taken from the band's archives.

"Insomnia" will be released on August 6 in Europe and September 3 in the U.S. (via MVD). More...

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Defiance To Dedicate New Album To Late Guitarist

On March 3, DEFIANCE bass player Mike Kaufmann began recording bass tracks for the band's forthcoming album and first effort in over 13 years. The recording session comes more than three months after the loss of longtime guitar player Doug Harrington.

Commented Mike: "I knew it was my turn to start tracking and I think I needed time to reflect and think about the tragic loss of a dear friend, brother, and major contributor to DEFIANCE music. It took me a while before I could even start practicing the songs again but once I started, it wasn't long before I felt I was ready to get it done. Doug and I had several conversations about how he wanted me to play over certain guitar parts that he wrote and I kept that in mind throughout the entire session. It was almost surreal talking to him about the album and how he wanted it to sound and knowing that he wouldn't be around to hear the finished product.

"During the last two or three weeks of his life, we spent a lot of time talking about what he wanted and didn't want the album to sound like. One of his main concerns was that we stick to our roots and make sure this is a 'thrash metal' album.

"I think that we, as a band, feel that this will be our best recording ever and much of that has to do with Doug's contribution and hard work even though he knew the end was near. It's a given that this album will be entirely dedicated to Doug."

DEFIANCE's new CD is being recorded at Trident Studios in Concord, CA with producer Juan Urteaga (EXODUS, SKINLAB, VILE). Along with the new album, DEFIANCE is also working on putting together a DVD, tentatively titled "Decade(s) of Defiance", that will cronicle the band's entire career from 1985 to the present.

Part of the so-called "second wave" of Bay Area thrash (which also included the likes of FORBIDDEN, VIO-LENCE, HEATHEN, DEATH ANGEL, and TESTAMENT), DEFIANCE officially disbanded in 1993 after the departure of vocalist Steev Esquivel (who would go on to form SKINLAB, and later RE:IGNITION), while the remaining members, with the addition of vocalist Dave Godfrey White (HEATHEN), formed INNER THRESHOLD, which would also eventually disband.

In 2005, rumors of a reformed DEFIANCE sent waves of interest through the burgeoning thrash metal community until it was finally confirmed that the band had in fact reunited and were at work on their first new material in over a decade.

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Headline News

Defiance Guitarist Loses Battle With Cancer

Defiance guitarist Doug Harrington recently lost his battle with cancer. Here's the band's update on it:

"It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of our dear friend, bandmate, and artist, Defiance guitarist Doug Harrington. At his request, and for the privacy of his family, we did not make his condition known, but Doug had been quietly battling cancer for much of this year, until Tuesday night when he finally succumbed to it. He went peacefully and in the presence of his wife and family. Born in 1966, he was 40 years old.

Doug was however able to participate in several of the writing and recording sessions for the new Defiance record, including one just 3 days before he passed. When we found out about Doug's condition, we had already been writing and rehearsing for the new album, and Doug continued to go to practices and participate in the songwriting and it was his wish that we finish the album without him. And although it will be extremely difficult, we will honor his request, and you can expect to see the record in stores this Spring.

Doug was an extremely talented musician, and an even more wonderful human being, and he will be sadly missed by all. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to all of Doug's family and friends.

Please keep checking the websites for more information, comments and updates. Also, please feel free to leave comments at the guestbook at Defiance1.com.

Sincerely,
Defiance"

Photos from a recent recording session with Doug can be viewed here.

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Defiance Check In From The Studio

Legendary Oakland thrashers DEFIANCE have issued the following update:

"Just wanted to check back in to let you all know that the recording sessions last weekend at Trident Studios turned out great! The guitars are almost done! Jim (Adams) laid down some heavy crunch tones and leads. Doug (Haggington) added his brand of metal afterwards and the results sound killer!

The plan now is for two or three more recording sessions for Doug to finish his leads and harmonies and for Mike (Kaufmann) to record his bass tracks. After that it is time for Steev (Esquivel) to lay down some wicked vocals.

We have just posted some new pics from last weekend's sessions here. Check them out!"

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Ex-Vio-lence Drummer "A Perfect Fit" In Defiance

Reunited Oakland, California thrashers DEFIANCE, best known for their seminal late '80s/early '90s Roadrunner releases "Void Terra Firma" and "Beyond Recognition", have posted the following message on their official blog:

"Yesterday [Saturday, March 18] we had our first rehearsal with our new drummer Mark Hernadez. Mark is veteran of the Bay Area metal scene. He has played with the likes of VIO-LENCE and TORQUE, among others. Mark totally hit it the ball out of the park! His style and his personality are a perfect fit for DEFIANCE. We are looking forward to recording a kick-ass album with him behind the drum kit. We also wanted to take this opportunity to thank James 'Flatline' Raymond for the time and work he invested into DEFIANCE. James is an awesome drummer and a really nice guy. He did a great job working with us over the last eight months. His departure had nothing to do with is playing or his attitude, it was simply an issue of conflicting schedules between DEFIANCE and his main band VENGINCE. We wish James and VENGINCE the best of luck! Maybe we will do a show together down the road?"

As previously reported, DEFIANCE recently inked a deal with Los Angeles-based Corporate Punishment Records. The group will enter Trident Studios in Concord, CA with producer Juan Urteaga (EXODUS, SKINLAB, VILE) this summer to begin work on their fourth album, tentatively due before the end of the year. Upon completion of the LP, the band is looking forward to playing selected shows and festivals. In addition to the new LP, Corporate Punishment Records will also release the band's first long-form DVD, "Decade(s) of Defiance", compiling hours of live performance, interview and archival footage chronicling their nearly 20 years of existence

Part of the so-called “second wave” of Bay Area thrash (which also included the likes of FORBIDDEN, VIO-LENCE, DEATH ANGEL, and TESTAMENT), DEFIANCE officially disbanded in 1993 after the departure of vocalist Steev Esquivel (who would go on to form SKINLAB, and later RE:IGNITION), while the remaining members, with the addition of vocalist Dave Godfrey White (HEATHEN), formed INNER THRESHOLD, which would also eventually disband.

In 2005, rumors of a reformed DEFIANCE sent waves of interest through the burgeoning thrash metal community, until it was finally confirmed that the band had in fact reunited and were at work on their first new material in over a decade.

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Defiance Sign With Corporate Punishment Records

Oakland, California thrashers DEFIANCE, best known for their seminal late '80s/early '90s Roadrunner releases "Void Terra Firma" and "Beyond Recognition", have inked a deal with Los Angeles-based Corporate Punishment Records. The group will enter Trident Studios in Concord, CA with producer Juan Urteaga (EXODUS, SKINLAB, VILE) this summer to begin work on their fourth album, tentatively due before the end of the year. Upon completion of the LP, the band is looking forward to playing selected shows and festivals. In addition to the new LP, Corporate Punishment Records will also release the band's first long-form DVD, "Decade(s) of Defiance", compiling hours of live performance, interview and archival footage chronicling their nearly 20 years of existence

Part of the so-called “second wave” of Bay Area thrash (which also included the likes of FORBIDDEN, VIO-LENCE, DEATH ANGEL, and TESTAMENT), DEFIANCE officially disbanded in 1993 after the departure of vocalist Steev Esquivel (who would go on to form SKINLAB, and later RE:IGNITION), while the remaining members, with the addition of vocalist Dave Godfrey White (HEATHEN), formed INNER THRESHOLD, which would also eventually disband.

In 2005, rumors of a reformed DEFIANCE sent waves of interest through the burgeoning thrash metal community, until it was finally confirmed that the band had in fact reunited and were at work on their first new material in over a decade.

"I'm really stoked to be playing with DEFIANCE again," says guitarist Jim Adams. "We have been working on some new songs and ideas that are really heavy and complex. We are not moving away from the Bay Area thrash style that people will expect to hear from us, no detuning or anything like that. We are writing pure straight forward thrash metal." Bassist/founder Mike Kauffman adds, "We've been working hard at writing new songs and we're all looking forward to working with Corporate Punishment. We hold ourselves to a very high standard when it comes to songwriting and I'm sure our fans will not be disappointed."

In addition to the classic lineup of Doug Harrington (guitar), Jim Adams (guitar), Mike Kaufmann (bass) and vocalist Steev Esquivel, the LP will also feature ex-VIO-LENCE/TORQUE drummer Mark Hernandez.

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Defiance Recording New Demo EP

Reunited San Francisco Bay Area thrashers DEFIANCE — featuring SKINLAB frontman Steev Esquivel — have commenced work on a new pre-production demo. "We are very stoked about the new songs that we have written and put onto disc!" the band write on their web site. "DEFIANCE is now hard at work to complete the four-song EP that we have been envisioning for the last six months."

DEFIANCE, who recently announced the addition of drummer Flatline (VENGINCE) to the group's ranks, recorded the new EP at Trident Studios in Pacheco, CA and will be shopping the CD around to interested labels. If picked up by a record company, the band will work towards completing a full-length album for release next year.

DEFIANCE released three albums through the Roadrunner label — 1989's "Product of Society", 1990's "Void Terra Firma", and 1992's "Beyond Recognition" — before undergoing major lineup changes and changing their name. The group eventually split up, with various bandmembers going on to join other bands.

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