What do Phil Collins, Don Henley and Paul Evo all have in common? The answer, they are all drummers who also sing lead vocals. And to this small and select bunch we can now add Johanne James - better known for his work with Threshold.  Kyrbgrinder is the brainchild of James and, apparently, showcases an altogether heavier side to the mans music. 

What is clear however is that, whether by design or not, James is the leader of the gang where KyrbGrinder are concerned, he is credited with all of the lyrics, has a co-write on all of the music and of course contributes drums and vocals as well. This means that the blame for the lack of invention and average execution here rests squarely with him. 

If the thought of an “Out Of The Silent Planet” era Kings X fronted by Corey Glover of Living Colour sounds like your bag then pick up a copy of this and make up your own mind about it. Initially I would have been extremely keen if somebody had pitched this record to me using those terms of reference. However rather than taking the best of those aforementioned bands KyrbGrinder have delivered a sort of half-way-house record, not being either one thing or another but rather a disjointed mish-mash of seemingly contrived styles.  

'Defiance' has the guitar of classic Seattle grunge married to some very traditional rock drumming in places and this just jars, the choruses all involve the song titles to a greater or a lesser extent as well, for example “ My heart bleeds, my heart bleeds, my heart bleeds, take me to the pain” [My Heart Bleeds] or “What about me, what about me, what about me, what about meee” [What About Me]. It wears very thin, very quickly. 

They also try a slow grinding thrash “ Fall Away” and a sort of rap-metal number a la Rage Against The Machine on “Not In My Name” neither of which are particularly convincing, especially the bass-led breakdown in the latter which is so forced to almost be laughable. I could go on but all I would really be conveying is that I haven't enjoyed this record much. It could very well be that I just don't get it and that there is a subtle genius hidden within these tracks that has eluded me so far.  

There are a couple of tracks that are half decent and the best of these is “The Guide” which actually takes a Kings X like harmony and builds on it to great effect but this is the exception here I'm afraid and doesn't save this collection from a poor scoring.

Let us know your views on 'Defiance'

Track Listing

My Heart Bleeds
Defiance
The Guide
What About Me
Fall Away
Not In My Name
Way Side
I Wanna Kill
Monster
Swallowed My Life
Greatest Weapon

Line Up

Johanne James – Drums/Vocals
Dave Dart – Guitar/Vocals
Eddie Vendetta – Bass