Ex-MEGADETH, SHADOWS FALL, SCAR THE MARTYR Members Join Forces In ACT OF DEFIANCE, Sign With METAL BLADE

ACT OF DEFIANCE, the new band featuring former MEGADETH members Shawn Drover (drums) and Chris Broderick (guitar), alongside ex-SCAR THE MARTYR singer Henry Derek Bonner, and SHADOWS FALL‘s Matt Bachand (bass), has inked a deal with Metal Blade Records.

ACT OF DEFIANCE is currently recording its debut offering with world-renowned producer Chris “Zeuss” Harris (ROB ZOMBIE, HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL) for a summer release.

A rough demo snippet of the ACT OF DEFIANCE track “Throwback” can be streamed below.

Says Broderick: “I am so excited to finally be able to announce ACT OF DEFIANCE to the world.

“Shawn just finished tracking drums the first week of February and his performance and tones are simply incredible. I have started tracking rhythms and leads, as well as working with Henry to get final vocal takes while Matt will record bass at his studio. The final mix and mastering will also be handled by Zeuss.”

He continues: “I am also very honored to announce that we have signed with Metal Blade Records. There is not a better label to be on than one where the employees (and owner) still understand and listen to METAL! They have shown a loyalty, backing and drive for their artists that few other labels have.

“As for our music, I am really enjoying the ability to create what is a killer mix of thrash and modern metal. It has a unique combination ranging from thrash to classical influences. I am very proud of what we have written and hope that you all dig it.”

Adds Drover: “Having our new band, ACT OF DEFIANCE, sign with Metal Blade Records is a real thrill for me.

“I started my musical career with Brian Slagel and the Metal Blade family many years ago, so to come full circle at this point is a real musical homecoming of sorts. I couldn’t be happier about that.

“What thrills me the most is the fact that myself, Chris Broderick, Henry Derek and Matt Bachand all have in common is that from the get-go, we wanted this band to be 100% PURE heavy metal! No compromises, no ulterior motives other than making the best HEAVY METAL music we can. Metal Blade shares this vision, which really puts us all on the same page, musically.”

States Bachand: “I couldn’t be more excited to begin this new adventure with ACT OF DEFIANCE. The positive energy that has collected between the four of us in such a little amount of time has been nothing short of incredible. Writing bass lines is something new for me as well, and I am looking forward to the challenge. All the songs are coming together great and I can’t wait for the world to hear this.”

Comments Henry: “I’m extremely honored and excited to be a part of ACT OF DEFIANCE. Everyone has been super cool and supportive, which is always a huge plus. I know this is going to be an awesome musical experience and the fact that I’m embarking on this journey with good people means everything.”

Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel says: “I am super excited to welcome ACT OF DEFIANCE to the Metal Blade family. I have known Chris and Shawn over the years and really admired their work. I am honored to be able to work with these two legendary musicians. Really excited to work with all the guys on this exciting new band!”

During an interview with SiriusXM‘s Jose Mangin on the December 17, 2014 edition of Liquid Metal‘s “666-LIVE” call-in show, Broderick stated about how his new group came together: “Through talking with Shawn Drover, we’ve talked about how we had all this material that was never gonna get released, all these killer, heavy riffs that we had written and stuff, and so we just decided, ‘Hey, why don’t we put the stuff out? Why don’t we form a band and get out these killer riffs, just to see what people think?’ So we formed a band, we’re working with a killer singer — he’s awesome — and we’ve got record labels that have made some good offers on the table, and we’re really excited about where that’s gonna go.”

Regarding whether the musical ideas that are being used in the new band are things that were originally presented to MEGADETH and were turned down or if they are brand new compositions, Chris said: “Some of them were presented, but then some of them also… I’d be, like, ‘Oh, this isn’t appropriate for MEGADETH, their sound.’ I have a tendency to write very complex stuff, and so I’ve gotta watch it when I write and submit for MEGADETH under that kind of… I wanna make sure it’s not too complex and too crazy and all over the place. So those are the things that I would have held back.”

Bonner released a statement in April 2014 claiming that he was leaving SCAR THE MARTYR “due to personal differences, artistic direction and a slew of business decisions that I cannot simply ignore.” He added: “I’ve given it a year of my life and now it’s time to move on. I will continue making music in many forms.”