Defects // Artificial Icons // Album Review

Defects follow up on 2024’s release of “Modern Error” with a quite stunning second album “Artificial Icons”, taking all the good from their debut and building on it with a more aggressive and hard-hitting feel.

The opener and title track, “Artificial Icons”, sets the standard for the album right out of the gate; a monster drum beat backed up by cutting riffs gives Maue the perfect platform to lay waste to all in his path with his brutal vocals. The hard-hitting verses give way to the band’s calmer, less chaotic side, with clean melodic vocals and instruments, a blistering start to the album.

Following in the opener’s footsteps, “Heresy” continues the onslaught, after a pretty cool guitar opening before the track descends into insanity with a pummeling drum beat and Maue letting rip as the chugging riffs add an extra layer of heaviness that will rattle your bones; the chorus is as you would expect, much more restrained, with Maue switching from screamed to clean effortlessly; the track swings back and forth before closing on the calmer side of things. “Where Did I Go Wrong” is an absolute belter. Maue sticks to clean vocals for the most part; the guitars are unreal, with both Threadwell and Morris-Winmill laying down some great riffs and solos, while the solid drum beat from Jack keeps it moving along.

The track feels like it runs in reverse, with clean, melodic verses and harsher choruses that mix things up; this is one of the best tracks on the album. “Signs” bursts into life with a screamed vocal opening before all hell breaks loose with a massive drum beat that, combined with crushing guitar riffs, creates a savage rhythm that will get heads banging big time. The highlight is the guest vocals from Matt Heafy of Trivium; he plays nicely off Maue, alternating between harsh and clean vocals. This is a banger and can only help propel the band to new heights. “Interlude” offers welcome relief from the relentlessness of the previous four tracks, with a stripped-back, electronic-leaning track akin to a Linkin Park number that gives you a chance to draw breath before the madness returns. “Critic” brings the heaviness back in a big way: a pummeling drum beat, crunching riffs, and brutal vocals from Maue that pack a serious punch; the rhythm is killer, with a groove accentuated by the heaviness, seriously aggressive, and a real contender for the album’s standout track. “State Of Mind” shows the band’s more mature side with a track that is more expansive than previous ones; the sound is bigger yet restrained, which makes it even more resonant.

Maue’s vocals are outstanding, mostly clean but showing range; the guitar work from Threadwell and Morris-Winmill is phenomenal, and the solo is top-class, a fabulous track. “Hollow” takes it up a level with a relentless drum beat from Jack and Maue killing it on vocals as he switches it up between screamed and clean; the guitars have once again kicked it up a notch, going from gritty to harmonic, adding an extra edge to an already edgy number; this is a killer tune. “The Other Side” is a more melodic number that foregoes the aggression without losing the power. Maue keeps it mainly clean, with Threadwell and Morris-Winmill knocking it out of the park with their riffs and solo; a brilliant track. “All For Nothing” is an intense number with its pounding drum beat and heavy riffs while Maue snarls and screams his way through the track; it shifts slightly at the chorus as he and the guitars become more melodic and harmonious before it all crashes down in a barrage of drums, synth and guitars, a really solid track. The album closes with “Afterglow”, as close to a ballad as you will get from these guys; Maue once again showcases his amazing vocals: the clean are incredible and melodic, while his screams hit the depths of hell. Jack’s drum beat drives the track, while Threadwell and Morris-Winmill mesmerise with chugging riffs and airy solos in complete contrast, yet working amazingly together, a belter to finish the album.

Defects new album Artificial Icons.

Released 16 October via Mascot Records

Pre-order/pre-save HERE.