Review: Defender – “Dying To Live”

Release date: 21st March 2025

“Dying to Live” will be unleashed upon the world on March 21^st 2025, through the label Metalapolis Records.

These thundering Germans have defended our right to live the Heavy Metal life to the fullest since 2016. Playing high energy live shows and with only a few previous releases such as the 2018 EP “Rising High“, this long awaited full-length album will show the world what Defender really stands for.

Line-up:
Christoph Ott (Guitar)
Hannes Stengel (Drums),
Dennis Bauer (Vocals / Guitar)
Fabian Bartl (Bass)

Review

Thunder is heard in the direction of Germany. The life of being an old school Heavy Metal freak is defended by Defender with the album Dying To Live. The first thundering riff of the song with the same name brings promises to fruition. The vocals are a thrashy style of intense singing by Dennis Bauer, with engaging gang vocals in the chorus. What really wins me over is the twin guitar melody parts, but when the catchy chorus kicks in I know that this album has the potential to be played loud for many years to come. It is no surprise that Dying To Live is one of the four singles of the album.

Survivor is another one of the singles played with the same intensity. The drums by Hannes Stengel are really killing it on this song. The kick drum has an extremely natural sound without the modern click that has dominated the past 20 years of metal. This is extremely tight double kickdrum playing. I would have said that this train beat could be the perfect training soundtrack, but no, this is speed metal and I can’t move my own legs to this speed. This is pure metal maniac heaven.

Time for Freedom brings a short 30 second guitar melody intro as a breathing break from the intense beat of the kick drum. The speed kicks in and the rest of the promises are delivered: twin guitar melodies, gang vocals and a catchy chorus. The ”improvised” style of guitar noodling is not my favourite part of this song, instead it is the twin guitar melodies that really catch my ear. I really love the slow melodies though, it is a great addition for changing up the tempos. Another great track.

Living Runaway is a riff-heavy song but still really catchy. The guitar work on this 4 minute song is fantastic. It feels like a much longer song due to the great collection of riffs, but the insane tempo gives the opportunity to cut the song at the radio-friendly 4-minute mark.

Carry the World follows the same recipe with extremely tight riffing, breakneck speed double-kicking and a catchy gang vocal chorus. I don’t think this is the most memorable song of the album, but that is not this song’s fault. The other songs are so extremely catchy that this song might risk falling in the shadows, but do not miss it!

Neverland is an actual ballad. For a band that is famous for its energetic live shows, this would be a great addition to a live setlist. This might not be the song that brings fame and glory, but instead makes the live audience appreciate the show better and a short breather before the next insane tempo hit single.

Granite Heart is one of the four singles of the album and that is easy to recognize with the catchiness of this song. It is actually quite different from the rest of the album, in that the melodies, riffing and drums are extremely groovy. It is really well produced, with melodies, riffs and breaks mixed up in a perfect 4-minute arrangement. Another great addition to this album.

Running Out of Bad Times is another groovy addition to the album. This song might not have the same hit potential as some of the other songs, but this is still very well executed and the really die-hard fans would have a great opportunity to join the gang vocals on a live gig. The instrumental sections are so well written and executed I could listen to these twin-guitar melodies all day.

Restless Power is another mix-up addition to the album featuring some keyboards. The first riff though is showing the heavy metal heritage being almost a note-for-note copy of the Iron Maiden song ‘Invaders’. The resemblance stops after the first riff though and this song also has another perfect sing-along gang vocal chorus.

Serenade to Life is beautifully sung, with a soft first verse in a ballad style. There are no more verses, instead this song follows up with an extremely dynamic and well written 4-minute instrumental part to send the audience off with the will to live the heavy metal life to the fullest.

Conclusion

Defender is working hard to defend our right to live a life as a Heavy Metal maniac. The name of the band implies some (maybe?) obvious inspiration from Manowar. The vocal style and intensity follow some resemblance from Manowar, but the thrashiness and speed, together with a quite dry vocal production instead reminds me of Bad Religion. The guitarwork reminds me of a mix between Eddie Van Halen and Iron Maiden in the 80s, but not quite resembling any of those bands. This is definitely not a copycat band, these thundering German guys are for real. I would argue that every element that is brought by Defender is exactly what we need to thrive in the modern days of heavy metal. Real killing speed intensity, extremely tight playing, and catchy tunes. The twin guitar melodies, sing-along choruses and breakneck double-kicking is what wins me over!

TheNwothm Score: 9.5/10