The Defiled

Sovereign state of mind

Love or hate them, The Defiled are a hot topic in metal circles. Music-News.com meets keyboardist The AvD, who is perched on the band's dressing room toilet having his head shaved, to find out how he deals with the critics


When Metal Hammer offered to put out The Defiled’s debut album with the magazine earlier this year it was a “no-brainer” for the band. At the time, the UK five-piece had picked up a few fans, but this would expose them to thousands more in one shot, even though they would be literally giving away Grave Times. “It's a bit of advice to anyone if they're thinking about giving out their music,” says keyboardist The AvD. “Just give it out for free and it will take you places.”

It certainly did for The Defiled. The band created quite a stir after the giveaway, which was followed by a general release, garnering more fans and critical acclaim. They also split opinion about whether they were ‘true metal’, receiving “death threats” online after being announced for Bloodstock festival. But The AvD takes a healthy attitude towards the abuse. “It feels good that people are so passionate about our music. ‘Love me or hate me it’s still an obsession’, as Lady Sovereign said!” he laughs.

Despite the backlash, The Defiled stormed Bloodstock, with The AvD describing it as “one of the best gigs of my life”. He says: “We were expecting to be bottled, but we weren't, and apparently some people enjoyed it! We’re an aggressive band anyway, but we went to the next level there – just intimidate the crowd more than they can intimidate you.” The band also returned to Sonisphere festival this year to headline the Jägermeister stage, which they had opened in 2009.

Further cementing their popularity, The Defiled’s October/November headline tour, with support from Revoker and Murder FM, has summed up a busy and successful 12 months. The band played a handful of UK shows culminating in a sold-out homecoming gig at Camden’s Underworld and have been surprised by the turnout. “We didn’t expect [the crowd numbers] to go up as much as they have,” says The AvD. “It just feels like we've moved along and this Black Death tour is the proof in the pudding.”

The tour also provided the opportunity to engage with their ever-growing army via ‘eat and greets’, where fans joined them on the tour bus to hang out. “It's been a very strange mix of people that have come actually,” says The AvD. “Last night we had a 12-year-old kid we were playing Connect 4 with and we had old rockers. Not many people get to go on a tour bus and see what it’s like – I think this is the third tour on a tour bus for us – and we just thought it'd be cool to show people what it’s like.”

Fans have turned up loaded with presents, such as coffins with customised ‘Defiled vodka’ in them, and it's been fun for all involved. “People are really genuine when they talk to us and we've never had that before,” The AvD continues. “We always go on tour supporting bands and try to win fans over, and it's really cool that this time we got to play to our fans that are there for us. It feels good to see something pay off that you've been working on for so long.”

And the band haven’t forgotten what it’s like to be fans themselves. Recalling their “life-changing” support slot with Murderdolls in February, The AvD says it was “amazing” meeting their hero Joey Jordison. “He made a point of coming to our dressing room every night telling us what a good show we did,” he says. “We tried to act cool, but he’d leave and we’d be like: ‘F*cking Joey Jordison!’ It was amazing for us.”

The band are demoing their next album and looking at reworking Grave Times and first EP 1888

Watch the brilliantly dark video for latest single Black Death

More about The Defiled

Photo: Toilet humour, but JPV