Holland’s got a new hardcore metal band. Defeat Lies Ahead started out in 2007 and performed a lot since then (amongst others, with Arkangel, Settle The Score and Pro-Pain). Self Preservation (2009) is their first demo, and soon an MCD will follow. Let’s check them out.

To begin with, I feel a bit sorry for the band as I noticed a spelling-mistake on the back cover (Wesely instead of Wesley), which is unfortunately already copied by some websites. Ouch..

The demo starts out with an aggressive, brutal titeltrack, which to me is the best one on the record. Defeat Lies Ahead delivers a complete sound: a brutal hardcore voice, heavy guitar riffs with especially good breakdowns, an occasional guitar or drum solo, and of course, some always successful pinch harmonics.

This results in four good hardcore/death songs, though overall I miss some explosivity. I think this is due to the drumming, which could be way more aggressive. I almost would like to yell to Marcello to please just throw it out! Or otherwise don’t join a hardcore band. Nonetheless, it's a good demo to start out with, and especially intereresting for hardcore fans that aren't in need for very fast blasting hardcore like I do..;)