The Rise of Defiance : Question, Reject, Defy
By Xander Rich
www.myspace.com/theriseofdefiance
Full of musical experience, tightness and a good mix of melody and flat-out rock, The Rise of Defiance was the latest band to cross my desk during a relocation to downtown Orlando. “Question. Reject, Defy” was one of the first albums to play in my new place, and instantly I was compelled to stop unwrapping dishes and loading the dishwasher to grab a pair of headphones and listen more closely.
Engineered by Tim Lau, there are many different influences pulled in from different corners of the metal world and fused into this effort, Singer Ryan Miller seems to be able to race his voice up the scales and knock you over with a gritty growl as effectively as he can softly and melodically tell you a story that you want to know the ending to.
The first half of the album definitely packs a heavy punch with “Contradiction”and “Insatiable”, then opens another door with “Play Called Life”, a somewhat chimey, bass-driven telling of one’s everyday experiences. From there, the lyrical content gets a lot more thought-inspiring, and the ambiance changes to something you really need to hear firsthand to truly interpret for yourself.
I like music that showcases the passion that was involved in writing it, and The Rise of Defiance play each instrument with finesse and intent. I can definitely respect that. Good album.
