The Self Titled – ‘Defaced’

To say that Kent based metal band The Self Titled have had line up problems is a bit of an understatement. They re-formed in 2010, recorded and recently released their debut album Defaced but the line up that recorded it has undergone 2 losses since then. Lead vocalist Mark Campbell and  guitarist James Forrister have left the fold, have been replaced and The Self Titled are already hard at work  crafting their 2nd full length release and if the songs are anywhere near as good as the 10 on Defaced then it will be well worth their struggle! Defaced is currently available on most worldwide digital outlets.

Defaced is a very solid metal album with some memorable hooks buried within. Album opener Soul Control begins with a howl of feedback leading into catchy,crashing riffs bringing to mind early Almighty with a scorching guitar solo midway. Other standout tracks are following number Twisted, a pedal to the floor metal rager with a rocking instrumental break midway. The wah wah guitar intro riff of Stomp is taken on by the rest of the band as it transforms into a Rob Zombie like chugger.

Coming Home tells the tale of a wrongly imprisoned man and his struggle for freedom. The song shifts between Southern rock and full on metal to great effect with a passionate vocal delivery from Mark Campbell. Running Scared is another interesting change in style with Helmet like angular riffing delivered with Motorhead intensity. Intuity has a main riff akin to early Rush over a throaty growl vocal with a Megadeth style breakdown midway.

Break These Chains is a fine example how to pen a hard, heavy but commercially viable song. A meaty opening riff segues into a Metallica groove with a nifty guitar solo to break up the riffs. Album highlight for me and probably the heaviest song on Defaced is final number The Silence. It sounds as far removed from the title as you can possibly get as the intense riffs surge along with a fret burning guitar solo at 3 minutes.

Defaced is a fine debut album by a hard working band. Any fans of rock/metal will not be disappointed with these 10 songs. No filler tracks here!

The Self Titled band line up for Defaced :-

Mark Campbell – Lead vocals.

James Forrister – Guitar.

Darren Towner – Lead guitar.

Steve Saunders – Bass.

Paul Brander – Drums.

Album track listing :-

Soul Control.

Twisted.

Stomp.

Coming Home.

Running Scared.

Mr. Nobody.

Intuit.

Break These Chains.

Warped.

The Silence.