DEFIANCE Guitarist DOUG HARRINGTON Passes Away

Reunited Oakland, California thrashers DEFIANCE, best known for their seminal late '80s/early '90s Roadrunner releases "Void Terra Firma" and "Beyond Recognition", have issued the following statement:

"It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of our dear friend, bandmate, and Corporate Punishment Records artist, DEFIANCE guitarist Doug Harrington. At his request, and for the privacy of his family, we did not make his condition known, but Doug had been quietly battling cancer for much of this year, until Tuesday night [Nov. 14] when he finally succumbed to it. He went peacefully and in the presence of his wife and family. Doug was, however, able to participate in several of the writing and recording sessions for the new DEFIANCE record, including one just three days before he passed.

"When we found out about Doug's condition, we had already been writing and rehearsing for the new album, and Doug continued to go to practices and participate in the songwriting and it was his wish that we finish the album without him. And although it will be extremely difficult, we will honor his request, and you can expect to see the record in stores this spring.

"Doug was an extremely talented musician, and an even more wonderful human being, and he will be sadly missed by all. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to all of Doug's family and friends."

DEFIANCE recently entered Trident Studios in Concord, CA with producer Juan Urteaga (EXODUS, SKINLAB, VILE) to begin laying down tracks for their first full-length album in over ten years. Along with the new CD, DEFIANCE is also working on putting together a DVD, tentatively titled "Decade(s) of Defiance"] that will cronicle the band's entire career from 1985 to the present.

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.