Band:	The Defiled
Album:	1888
Style:	Gothic metal
Release date:	October 26, 2009
Guest review by:	omne metallum

01. The Resurrectionists
02. The End Of Innocence
03. 1888
04. Permanent Reminder
05. Red Tape

The Defiled's debut recording 1888 is a 25-minute calling card from the band that shows the potential for the future the band would go some way to reaching. Short but sweet, it is a mixed bag that will give you a flavour of what the band had to offer but little of great sustenance.

The Defiled blend the industrial sounds of Fear Factory with the metalcore styling of As I Lay Dying with a Marilyn Manson Gothic horror aesthetic. The band manage to combine these influences to create a style that enables them to spread out more on the vast Venn diagram of metal and broaden their appeal.

"Red Tape" is the highlight on this EP, with aggressive verses building into a melodic chorus that will get caught in your head and refuse to leave; it's not Wordsworth by any stretch, but it's catchy. Even with the production of the song, the quality of the track manages to break through and show what the band are capable of. "The End Of Innocence" also has some good keyboard work that is worth giving a moment of your time.

The production condenses the sound somewhat, with the album feeling like the band were in a cramped room when recording this (probably the case too). Everything is audible but no instrument has space from the other, leading to a sound that does not allow any individual instrument to excel. There are parts of songs that feel like they are rebounding off the artificial roof of the production rather than soaring high; the breakdown in "1888" is a prime example of this. You can appreciate the songs with this production, but it does hinder the enjoyment somewhat.

The musicianship is a mixed bag, with some elements being somewhat generic, whereas others fill in the space and help create atmosphere. The keyboards and synths of The AvD are the secret weapon of the band; he goes a long way in giving the band the horror feel that they aim for while also adding shades of colour in otherwise empty spots in the songs. The bass is practically inaudible on this EP; you can hear its low end underneath the cramped sound but you can't really comprehend what is being played. The drums are competent but generic, sounding like a well-programmed drum machine rather than giving any character or flair that would make you think that there is someone behind the kit.

The band did resolve a lot of the issues that plagued 1888 with their full length debut Grave Times, which is certainly worth a listen as the band are able to better represent themselves there. As for 1888? I would only reach for it if you enjoy their full lengths and want to hear more from the band; beyond being a launchpad for the band and the song "Red Tape", this EP has little to offer that the full lengths haven't already got covered.