Though they’ve more than earned their distinguished title as the samurai of death metal, Defiled have never had the patience to suffer any fools. For the past 30 years, Yusuke Sumita and his lethal band of warriors have been on a war path, leaving nothing but inevitable ruin in their grimy wake. They’ve conquered crowds from across their native Tokyo all the way to Milwaukee Metal Festival while touring with their fellow legends in Mayhem, Incantation, Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse.
Now, just two years removed from reaching the highest level of straight-forward, bone-crushing death metal, Defiled have topped themselves once again on their upcoming eighth album. Horror Beyond Horror is the kind of good ol’ fashioned ass-kicking that only a true master can deliver. It slices and dices from all directions, but their new single cuts straight to the bloody truth.
Watch the video for “Smoke and Mirrors”.
Horror Beyond Horror comes out September 20 on Season of Mist.
Pre-order & Stream
https://orcd.co/defiledhorrorbeyondhorror
Ever since they clawed out of Tokyo’s underground back in 1992, Defiled have carved out a reputation as one of the world’s finest practitioners of relentlessly raw death metal. “Those who prefer the schools of olde should be right at home”, Lambgoat wrote in praise of their last barbaric offering.
But Horror Beyond Horror proves that Defiled can still inflict maximum punishment in ways that are strangely satisfying. Like a poisonous dart, the band come come shooting out of the shadows on “Smoke and Mirrors”. Blast beats pummel at unforeseen angles, only to shift around every corner into a dizzying flurry of drum fills.
“Smoke and Mirrors” will toy with even the most decorated of battle vests, but Defiled know when it’s time to vanquish foes with a brutal finishing move. “Every lie has been revealed”, fearless frontman Shinichiro Hamada shouts, taking aim at perpetual frauds and tyrannical technocrats. Upon getting the signal from Hamada’s screaming whammy bar, the band charge straight into the pit of battle with a grisly, grease-slicked groove that will snap plenty of necks on their upcoming Japanese tour.
“We are very excited to kick off our tour in support of our new album in our home country”, says guitarist Yusuke Sumita. “If you’re in the area, be sure to join us. See you on the road”.
Horror Beyond Horror Japanese Tour 2024
13 September – Okayama @ Digvuilt
14 September – Hiroshima @ Leo
15 September – Karatsu @ Yggdrasil
16 September – Fukuoka @ reflex
20 September – Osaka @ Hokage
21 September – Hikone @ Benihana
22 September – Nagoya @ Studio 246
23 September – Tokyo @ Earthdom
24 September – Yokohama @ El Puente
25 September – Fussa @ Chicken Shack
26 September – Utsunomiya @ Beat Club
27 September – Nagano @ Rosebery Cafe
28 September – Niigata @ Rocka
29 September – Sendai @ Solfa
30 September – Fukushima @ 559
25 October – Kofu @ Kazoo Hall
26 October – Tokyo @ Earthdom
27 October – Matsudo @ Dugout 2
The video for “Smoke and Mirrors” was filmed at Katakai Pier in Kujukuri, Chiba, Japan in May 2024. It was directed and edited by Seaside 99 Works. Special thanks to Kujukuri Gyogyou Kumiai.
