Defiance (band)

Defiance
Origin	Oakland, California, United States
Genres	Thrash metal, progressive metal
Years active	1985–1995, 2005–2012
Labels	Candlelight, Roadrunner, Metal Mind Productions
Associated acts	Skinlab, Heathen, Severed Fifth, Inner Theshold, Under
Website	Defiance1.com
Members	Steev Esquivel Jim Adams Mike Kaufmann Mark Hernandez Shawn Bozarth
Past members	Doug Harrington Matt Vander Ende Ken Elkington Paul Palmer Dave White

Defiance was an American thrash metal band from Oakland, California. They played a decidedly technical style of thrash originally evoking bands like Testament, though they would later move on to playing in their own unique, more progressive thrash style. After dissolving in 1995, they reformed in 2005 and released their fourth studio album The Prophecy in late 2009. However, they broke up again in 2012.

Defiance was formed in 1985 by guitarist Brad Bowers, drummer Matt Vander Ende, and bassist Mike Kaufmann. Doug Harrington joined later but left the band not long after due to conflicts with Bowers, and was replaced by Jim Adams. Eventually the band ousted Bowers and replaced him with Harrington. In 1987 the band recruited a vocalist in Mitch Mayes.

Now with a stable and complete lineup, Defiance began playing shows in the Bay Area. With the local thrash scene gaining momentum, the band attained local notoriety. Their first demo was released in 1987. Shortly afterwards Mayes left the band and was replaced by Ken Elkington. With Elkington the band issued their Hypothermia demo in 1988. This demo caught the attention of the independent metal label Roadracer Records, who signed the band that year. At Roadracer's insistence, the band traveled to Vancouver, Canada to record their debut album with Annihilator guitarist Jeff Waters.

The band's debut, Product of Society was released in 1989. The band was very much unsatisfied with Waters' production job, as he told the band to turn down the volume pots on their guitars, resulting in a very thin riff sound, and the members also claim Waters was acting unprofessionally during the recording. Nonetheless the album managed to attract attention in the thrash community despite the frequent label as a Testament knock-off. After playing a few dates in the Bay Area, Elkington was fired due to lack of commitment and former Laughing Dead vocalist Steev Esquivel was added to the group and finished the band's tours for the album.

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