Record Label: SOS Records
Genre: Punk
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

Where does one classify this group of misfits? Defiant’ is Vice Squad’s 7th studio album and only their first for SOS records. Seven releases and five different labels over the course of nearly two decades says a couple of things about the band. Firstly, they are determined to stay relevant. Secondly, they’re doing something right. They advertise themselves as Britain punk rock but I would tend to lean towards the metal side of things. Granted, you should never judge a book by it’s cover but Vice Squad look straight out of the metal scene of the 80’s and early 90’s. I know, I know, this is supposed to be a CD review not a fashion show but I’m just being honest. When the CD arrived in the mail, I damn near had a coronary when I saw the long hair machismo being thrust in my face on the bottom left of the front cover.

Then I listened to the music. Here is where they constitute punk rock. The music is dirty, gritty and reminiscent of… well, British punk. It’s just plain filthy. I had to check out singer Beki’s teeth to confirm the British overtones. Unfortunately, she has all her teeth and they are clean so I am highly skeptical that they in fact hail from Britain. Back to the music!

Beki rips through the grungy, distorted guitars with guttural screams that can only come from years of huffing cigarettes and late night binges. Voice of the People’ kicks things off and in my opinion is a bad choice to begin the album. Beki is at her growliest and the music is totally metal. I was kind of put off but things would come around. Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down’ begins with a light guitar riff that has some ska-ish influence and features Beki’s softer side. Vice Squad was almost certainly huge fans of 80’s music as the influences can be heard throughout. At times, Beki hits some backing vocals in the same manner as a Bananarama hit. The overwhelming difference is that Vice Squad sings about pertinent and perturbing sentiments. Herein lies the benefit of experience. They aren’t singing about broken hearts and adolescent romance. They hit on the issues that matter. Things like war, socialism, and the other dependable punk principles.

The title track Defiant’ is a tribute to the band’s resilience to maintain their integrity and not give in to the majority. That’s a nice change nowadays. Vice Squad have been doing this a long time and there probably isn’t much left in the tank at this point. This is more than likely going to be their last studio release and for that, it’s worth a listen.

Bottom Line: It won’t set the world ablaze but their punk perspective is a nice change of pace. If you’re desperate for old school punk rock, check’em out.
Notable Tracks: Defiant, Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down, War of Attrition
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