Defeat - Outbursts!

An English duo consisting of Gary Walker (Synthetics) and Anthony Matthews (vocals), Defeat are one of the latest additions to ever popular label Static Distortion.

This EP is promoted as Electro-Industrial, and cites Nitzer Ebb and Depeche Mode among its influences.

It begins with "Parasite" which is worked around a bouncy, pulsing riff. It comes dangerously close to the territory of Industrial Rock. Anthony's spoken-word vocals give this an edge similar to that of Pretty Hate Machine. The layering on here gives the vocals a brilliant echo effect, causing the pivotal moments where a double vocal track occurs to have a seriously strong appeal.

"Outburst" is more traditionally "Ebb". It brings back the heavier days of the group, but also reminds me a tad of "Where Angels Fear to Tread"-era Mentallo. The vocals become a spoken-whisper towards the end of one of the verses, giving the lyrics a haunting and poignant undertone.


"How Pathetic" could be a Bond theme. It has a seriously dark intro. What I've noticed about this track is the story-like narrative of the lyrics. It seems to poor sympathy on the protagonist before berating him for being pathetic. It's really well written.

"Bored" brings us to the end of this EP at just four tracks, but in the fifteen minutes that the duo entertain us, I can safely say that "Bored" is not something I am experiencing. The track is more up-tempo and EBM than "How Pathetic", and the chorus is incredibly melodic.

"I go to work - cos it's all I've got" - like a lot of classic EBM, this releases features lyrics that form a real reflection on society.

Mastered by Nik Hodges, with art work that reminds me of Pantera at their finest, this comes both digitally and on CD, and is another reason why SDR are a label to shine and shine.

More outbursts like this please. Oct 01 2012