Elevation [Release date 19.03.16]
This is the debut effort from Danish symphonic rockers, Defecto. It’s a pretty solid, competent outing and follows an EP in 2012. If there’s nothing here to set the world on fire, there is certainly more than enough to satisfy fans of the genre.
The album is packed with confident melodies, layered vocals, sweeping keyboards and precise guitar work. Lots to like.
Title track ‘Excluded’ kicks off proceedings with a pacy track that neatly showcases most of the band’s tricks and styles. ‘When Daylight Dies’ follows a similar theme, perhaps with a touch more snarl about the guitar lines.
The album gets more interesting with some stretching vocal delivery on ‘You Had It Coming’ segueing into an edgy ‘Drifting Into Blackness’, both powered by pumping keyboard lines.
‘The Final Transition’ features the first real pace and mood change; ‘Rage’ is about the heaviest track on offer; and ‘Don’t Lose Yourself’, together with ‘Sovereign’ are the most direct and accessible. These two are the pick of the album for me.
The production values ratchet in at a high level. No surprise when one learns that the album was recorded in Flemming Rasmussen’s studio and was overseen by the legendary Metallica technician, together with Jan Langhoff (who I believe has europop act Aqua on his CV!)
The band is very much led by Nicklas Sonne who as well as handling lead vocals, guitars, song writing duties, also had a hand in mixing and mastering the album. The rest of the band comprises Frederik Miller on guitars, Thomas Bartholin on bass and Lars Jensen on drums.
There are elements of the prog/symphonic metal of Nightwish about material like ‘Into Oblivion’ and the inevitable epic-shot ‘The Sands Of Time’ (check out Sonne’s great vocal here) though on the whole it is the uptempo tracks that come across more effectively.
Good debut. Safe enough and a little predictable in parts, but more than hinting at promise to come. ***½
Review by Dave Atkinson
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)
Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
