DEF-CON-ONE
Reviews / Quotes.
From Albums And Live Performances.
Firing on all cylinders, pulverising all before them.
Delivered with the force of a sledgehammer.
planetmosh.com (merry metal Christmas)
Instrumentally Def Con One can only be described as a mighty force.
There is no denying, these guys are talented and passionate beyond belief about what they do and my God do they do it well.
Cack blabbath (les fest 2)
An hour of fast paced Metal that didn't slow down from the first beat of the drum to the last faded guitar note.
The band give a highly polished performance.
Metaltalk.net (les fest 2)
Def Con One have a polish, and a power about their live show that not many over the weekend could match.
I couldn’t tear myself away from this. Def Con One were, quite simply, one of the best bands of the whole weekend.
Cack blabbath (hammerfest 5)
From beginning to end, the band delivered an incredible energy to the crowd.
Getyourrockout.co.uk (hammerfest 5)
They are a live animal: you may see bands on stage as good as DEF CON ONE, but you won’t see better.
Metalshockfinland.com
HAMMERFEST
The rest of the night was now to be spent at Stage 2. Def Con One were first up and kicked things off with the intense drumming of Antton, laying down some huge beats and great drum fills. Overlaying this, guitarist Johnny used a range of interesting and often quite experimental guitar tones to produce a sound for the band that was very recognisable and quite unique. The diversity of the guitar tones present in Def Con One’s performance was a key element of their ability to effortlessly crash between melody and all out, thrashing heaviness. The rhythm section, comprised of Antton and bassist Steve, were tight throughout and played a large part in creating the heavy side of the band, contributing well to the strong thrash element that was quickly apparent in Def Con One’s set. The instrumentals all worked very well together throughout the set in order to create a truly intense thrash sound that delivered the full weight of the band’s emotive lyrics in musical form. The only downside to this was that, on occasion, singer Davey’s vocals would be slightly overwhelmed by the instrumental side of things. This was, however, a minor issue and one that never had any real impact on the progress of the performance. This was especially true due to the fact that not only did Davey have a good vocal range which employed to its full use over the course of the set but the fact that Steve and Johnny provided hugely effective backing vocals in an impressively consistent manner. The intensity of the performance was also notable as, from beginning to end, the band delivered an incredible energy to the crowd. This was perhaps most apparent in the song ‘March of the Dead’, stated by the band to be about “the mundane futile journey working the 9 till 5 lifestyle and seeing your dreams being crushed and simply settling to exist instead of living a life”. So not only does it have a clearly recognisable and relatable theme but I can tell you that the band deliver it with great verve and enthusiasm. Add to this the amiability of the band in their interactions with the crowd and it came as no surprise that, by the end of Def Con One’s setlist, there was a good sized crowd cheering for them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Def-Con-One Hammerfest, get ready for war !!!
The first thing you notice about Def-Con-One, even before they come onstage, is the drumkit. Most of the other bands on the Jagermeister stage shared a kit but Antton Lant brought his own, and a sexier piece of percussion technology it’s difficult to imagine… you know when something just looks “cool” ?? Well that, exactly that.
Def Con One have a distinctive visual brand, with loads of people wearing their Warface logo t-shirts, which dominated the stage, with banners at both sides flanking the kit. There’s some thought and effort gone into the presentation and it does the trick… looks awesome and, more importantly, it’s something immediately recognisable.
On the back of last years excellent Warface album I was expecting good things from Def Con One today (even if people thought I was mad for missing Candlemass on the main stage). Well although this was my first chance to see DC1, I’d heard glowing reports of their live performances so made sure I was front and center in plenty of time. Wasn’t just me though, judging by the packed crowd in the Jagermeister stage I wasn’t alone in choosing Geordie Metal over Scandanavian Doom.
And was it the right choice ??
Absolutely.
Def Con One have a polish, and a power about their live show that not many over the weekend could match. Frontman Davey Meikle pours heart and soul into the band’s heavy-yet-melodic groove laden delivery, one minute calm and laid back, the next exuding a mad staring intensity. The passion with which he roared out the first lines of 10 Bullets and the fist-in-the air stadium-rocking thunder of Warface contrasting neatly with the slower, more angsty Give Me Strength. Nothing like a bit of variety and Def Con One certainly posses that, showing a breadth to their sound which took many (including me) slightly by surprise.
The sound was nigh on perfect too, and that’s not something you could always say about the weekend. Talk about thunderous…
All the running about doing press stuff that inevitably happens at these festivals mean that there’s rarely time to watch a whole set, but I couldn’t tear myself away from this. Def Con One were, quite simply, one of the best bands of the whole weekend…
http://www.cackblabbath.com/2013/03/21/def-con-one-live-at-hammerfest-5/
The night is getting later and it’s up to Newcastle’s Def-Con-One to keep the party going on Stage Two. The Geordies are a demolition ball of powerful groove and just what the night needs – a hard-nosed, brutalising boot-up-the-arse. ‘March of the Dead’ is a highlight of the four-piece’s set, perfectly epitomising the band’s ability to charge through concrete riffage whilst also exploiting more melodic metal verses. Frontman Davey Meikle enters some Godsmack-esque territory when he’s not abusing his lungs with the kind of powerful bawling that would get any Pantera fan’s vote of approval. A bit of crude banter from Meikle and the band are straight back into their professional set with the sharp riffage and unstoppable, beating percussion of the popular title-track from latest album ‘Warface’. ‘Steeped In Pain’ and ’10 Bullets’ are performed solidly to an increasingly receptive audience who get more than their required fix of heavy for the night. (CR)
http://soundshock.com/index.php/festival-reviews/4820-hammerfest-v-hafan-y-mor-holiday-park-wales
DEF CON ONE are groove metal and punk rolled into one. Another first for me, Davey Meikle blasts out ripping vocals and covers every inch of the stage trying to whip up as many of the moshers as he can. The set included 10Bullets, Warface and Give Me Strength. Awesome set and sound from these geordies and certainly one of the best on this stage today
http://getreadytorock.me.uk/blog/2013/03/hammerfest-v-pwllheliwales14-16-march-2013/
'They make every muscle in your body wanna dance. I am 100% sure that the band will have a huge success.'
10/10 - metalshockfinland.wordpress.com
'It’s a brutal record that hits like a glass window over a sleeping skull' - metalpsalter.com
'Warface is an ass-kicker; a fist-flying, mosh pit inducing experience, yet retains an old-school rock vibe and gritty biker metal ambiance.’ - ametalstateofmind.com
'Rejoice! For Def-Con-One is metal! No compromise, fist in your face, snarling, spitting metal!''Heed the Def-Con-One warning. This is a band capable of mass destruction on an epic scale. Shave your head, break out the big guns, prepare for the riffs from hell and put on your Warface!'
seaoftranquility.org
'If you think you can handle the energy of this album, then go ahead and hit the play button one more time... after all, you’ve been warned'
8/10 - metalkaoz.com
'This album is sure to find homes on the CD collections of many a thrash fan as well as the hardcore fraction and general metal fans too due to its own individual style and sheer excellence in song construction. The awesome unique heaviness of some of the tracks is overwhelming.’
5/5 - the metalreview.com
‘Warface from DEF-CON-ONE is a kick ass album that’s not only heavy, aggressive and harsh. It’s also an album filled with understanding and compassion. The album is a full blown attack.’
9/10 metal-temple.com
'Without a doubt, Warface will hold one of the coveted top spots for album of the year for me'
5/5 - www.lawrencethelost.com/RSG
‘This is one heavy mutha of an album .A solid album that won´t disappoint fans of true metal' - 3/5 - rothnroll.blogspot.co.uk
'Some of the rawest, most abrasive guitar tones I’ve heard since, well, since Far Beyond Driven actually' - metalasfuck.net
'There is absolutely no denying that Def-Con-One are damn good at what they do, and if you like “this sort of thing” then by god you’ll like this' - cackblabbath.com
'Def Con One (Defence Readiness Condition) is a warning that nuclear war is imminent and the debut album Warface by the band Def Con One could be the soundtrack to it!'
10/10 - planetmosh.com
'The whole 50+ minute album is pretty intense.’ - metal-rules.com
'Twelve solid slabs of Metal, for those who like it hard and heavy.' - metaltalk.net
'Contemporary, hard-hitting, groove-laden metal' - getyourrockout.co.uk
'Run and get WARFACE. Put it loud and let it drive you crazy day and night. It is one of the most powerful and addictive albums I’ve heard lately'
4.5/5 - hardcity.gr
'''Warface'' is a fucking mean kick up the ass that's bound to send you flying over the wall'
7/10 thedailystab.guitarepirate.com
'Take out “Vulgar Display Of Power” or “Burn My Eyes” and place them next to “Warface” - eternal-terror.com
'Stocked with an undisputed heaviness equitable to the pairing of Machine Head and Pantera, this group showcases an unbridled aggressiveness that goes for the jugular at every opportunity.'
4/5 - earcandymag.com
This is about as much fun as you can have, whilst systematically feeling that you have had your insides kicked out of you by a size 12 boot! There is just not one dud on this album. I defy you not to like them. http://brutifulmetalradio.crazy4us.com
‘II’
10 tracks of hard punching metal – soundcravemagazine.com
Bawling inventively in the face whilst being driven by a constant fury which simply exhausts and exhilarates the senses, II the new album from UK metallers Def-Con-One, is one of those riveting muscular scourges you just cannot get enough of.
9/10 - ringmaster review
'II' delivers a punch to the testicles so brutal it'll feel like they've been hit by a knuckle duster laced with 10 inch nails! Def-Con-One sound like no-one else, they are completely unique.
9.5/10 - http://brutifulmetalradio.crazy4us.com
This is modern, brutal, and well-constructed metal that will appeal to fans of the likes of Machine Head and Pantera, but clearly consolidates Def-Con-One’s own sound and style.
Uberrock.co.uk
If you're a fan of heavy music, then this is one band that you should be listening to.
4/5 – metaltalk.net
There is all out metal, groove, melody and no shortage of damn fine musicianship on here. Go out and buy it, you will not be disappointed.
Metaloverlord.co.uk
If you like your metal with a groove, if you like it heavy, if you like it balls to the wall, then the new album from Def Con One is the band for you. I highly recommend that you purchase their new album II and pick up their first album Warface and play them back to back over and over. You'll thank me for it!
5/5 - tragedyaxe.blogspot.co.uk
Wonderfully aggressive album with lyrical patterns that are surprisingly catchy and unique. If you like your Metal hard-edged, then this II album will rock your world.
metalexpressradio.com
A blend of old school rock, modern metal and a bit of punk. Their sound is unique and seems to "copy" no one. You don't get that "sounds like" feeling.
This is great angry metal for when you need that tension release while you rock the fuck out, and I think these dudes are at the beginning of what should be a long career.
4/4 – therighttorock.com