DEFIANCE Announces New Drummer

February 16, 2010

Reunited Oakland, California thrashers DEFIANCE have announced the addition of drummer Burton Ortega (KAOS) to the group's ranks. The band states, "We were looking for that fifth finger to fill the glove, which was something that we felt was essential for a long-term fit.

"We are very excited about Burton joining DEFIANCE and have had so much fun jamming the old and new tunes and can't wait to unleash the new monster that is DEFIANCE."

Burton will make his live debut with DEFIANCE on March 13 in Modesto, California at the Pizza Factory.

DEFIANCE played its first show since 1994 on December 19, 2009 at Blake's on Telegraph in Berkeley, California.

Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be viewed below.

DEFIANCE's current lineup includes Shawn Bozarth on guitar and Keven Albert (formerly with KAOS) on vocals.

Mark Hernandez (drums) and Steev Esquivel (vocals) left DEFIANCE last year to concentrate on their primary bands, FORBIDDEN and SKINLAB, respectively.

DEFIANCE's new album, "The Prophecy", was released on October 19, 2009 via Candlelight Records. The first collection of new music from DEFIANCE in over 15 years was recorded at Trident Studios and Greendot Studios in East Bay, California.

An e-card for "The Prophecy" can be accessed at this location.

The cover artwork by Travis Smith (OPETH, NEVERMORE) of Seempieces can be viewed below.

Part of the so-called "second wave" of Bay Area thrash (which also included the likes of FORBIDDEN, VIO-LENCE, DEATH ANGEL, and TESTAMENT),DEFIANCE officially disbanded in 1993 after the departure of vocalist Steev Esquivel (who would go on to form SKINLAB, and later RE:IGNITION),while the remaining members, with the addition of vocalist Dave Godfrey White (HEATHEN),formed INNER THRESHOLD, which would also eventually disband.

In 2005, rumors of a reformed DEFIANCE sent waves of interest through the burgeoning thrash metal community until it was finally confirmed that the band had in fact reunited and were at work on their first new material in over a decade.

Note: Video footage and band photo below do not feature Burton Ortega

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