Mithraic Magazine

Emerging from Croatia’s underground metal scene in 2005, Defiant has steadily forged a formidable presence in the realm of extreme metal. Initially rooted in melodic death metal, the band underwent a significant transformation over time, embracing a more aggressive and darker sound with each album that melds the ferocity of death metal with the bleak atmospheres of black metal. This evolution is evident in their discography, culminating in their most recent work, their 2025 album, Mammon Mantra.

Defiant’s music is characterised by relentless riffs, guttural vocals, and intricate compositions that reflect their commitment to pushing the boundaries of extreme metal. As they continue to evolve, Defiant remains a testament to the strength and vitality of Croatia’s metal scene, delivering music that is both uncompromising and evocative.

Now, I might be in the minority here, but I genuinely enjoyed both eras of Defiant. As someone who got into melodic death metal before they did black metal, I can still appreciate 2006’s, The End of Beginning and the same can be said for 2012’s Era of Substitution.

However, the change to what we would begin to know as modern Defiant would begin around 2015, with the release of Morbid Spiritual Illness, and would continue on 2018’s Insurrection Icon. This is where most of our readers will probably start to appreciate what Defiant are offering, but I mention their previous work to highlight the band’s ability to evolve, to progress, and to not stay limited by their foundations.

More recently there was Vanguards Of Misrule in 2022, before 2025 saw Defiant release Mammon Mantra, their most experimental release to date. Offering much of what you’ve begun to expect from recent Defiant but thrown in with influences of an unknown origin (at least to me!).

Mammon Mantra is not a simple sequel to Insurrection Icon or Vanguards Of Misrule, it is another evolution in Defiant’s ever-evolving sound.

Today I sit down with Kris (guitar) and T.K. (vocals) to talk about Defiant, its history, its future, and how Defiant has changed over time.

Defiant Interview (With Kris and T.K., by D.)

I like to start at the beginning, in your own words, what is Defiant and how did this project start?

Kris: Defiant is my struggle to keep the sound and idea alive and after 30 years of playing guitar I’m still doing this, it’s more than a passion. But everything start at the end of the 90s, I played in many local bands, then in 2004 I came back to my hometown and came up with the idea to start a band. At that time, I mostly listened to Swedish bands like In Flames, Dark Tranquility, At the Gates and similar. In 2006, we recorded the first album “The End of Beginning” and that album went very well with the local population. We played quite often, although not as much as i would like because we had a lot of problems finding a good and reliable drummer.

That one was of the reason why the band split up 2009.plus some things between ex-members on a personal level.

Before I brought a new blood in the band, I already had few songs finished for the next album “Era Of Substitution”. From that point I was already making decisions by myself so I get in touch with a label and album was released 2012.The music style of the band start to change on that album and start to get shape in the next one “Morbid Spiritual Illness” which was released 2015. I liked the idea of things starting to move in a slightly different direction, it became more dark so I decided it to keep to that direction.

When T.K. came to the band 2016.things got even more interested because we had almost the same concept how we could do it more spicy.
The result was an album “Insurrection Icon” which was released 2018.
By this time, Defiant played really a lot of shows around Europe and changed lineup a few times. During pandemic I already wrote music for “Vanguards of Misrule” EP and also for “Mammon Mantra”, but we released only EP on 2022.

“Mammon Mantra” was still in the process of recordings and bulding things up during last 2 years so it could finally be released this year.

How would you define Defiant’s musical influences? Clearly different band members have had many different influences over the years which has resulted in albums that are excellent, but often take on a different sound or style from one album to the next. So, I’m curious – which bands would you say were vital in influencing Defiant’s music throughout the years? Is there anyone from 2005 who still influences you as much as they did, now in 2025?

Kris: Most of the bands from Swedish death metal scene in the beginning and some polish bands later. But I wouldn’t say they were vital to Defiant music because I don’t listen so much extreme metal.

T.K.: Our influences go above and beyond and very much depends on the album. I would not say that we target a specific band or sound when we do an album. We are pretty much at the stage where all our influences bleed naturally on our work as a band. It can be David Bowie or Marduk, maybe both.

For Mammon Mantra specifically, who would you say have been some of your more recent influences that have helped inspire and invoke your latest release?

Kris: For me it was some things in life that happened and they inspired me for writing the music. I could say that also for the other albums from Defiant.

T.K.: For Mammon Mantra was pretty much a blend of classic heavy metal concept albums like Operation Mindcrime from Queensryche or Crimson Idol from W.A.S.P. Both albums does not falter not for minute during the whole listen, everything is arranged methodically from start to finish. The other influences were black metal acts like Funeral Mist or Abigor who are rich with atmosphere and layers.

How does the songwriter process look like for Defiant? Again, as a band who have constantly evolved their style over the years, it feels like it must be a more collaborative effort than an individual songwriter, or am I wrong?

Kris: Actually, i write the music by myself and present it to the rest of the band. I’m doing the same thing from the beginning and it works fine.

T.K.: He sends me songs, while I already have the lyrics lying around. That’s how we function from day one.

What equipment do you guys use to make your sound? Is there any equipment you would like to add to your arsenal moving forward?

Kris: mostly just a basic stuff – high gain amps, delays and that’s it – less is more.

T.K.: A 15 year old Shure PG58. The old bastard still works.

Outside of Croatia, who has been most receptive to Defiant’s music? Also, is there a reason why both The End of Beginning (2006) and Morbid Spiritual Illness (2015) are missing from Spotify?

T.K.: For some reason Romania, the only downside it takes us around 8 hours to go there, but we meet the fans there its definitely worth it. About Spotify, well; you should [ask] our ex labels about it But that will be rectified soon, don’t worry.

Obviously, Mammon Mantra has just been released, but I’m curious, what does the rest of 2025 look like for Defiant? Any shows coming up?

Kris: This year is 20-annyversary of the band so we already have some gigs booked but more of them coming up. At the moment we are focused on promotion a new album.

T.K.: So far 4 local shows in Croatia and we are planning something big in October so stay tuned.

We like the occult and the esoteric over here, with that in mind, is there any literature you would recommend for our readers?

T.K.: I think that it will be easier just to take a photo of my library and simply start from there. Let’s see…
Robert Anton Wilson – Masks of the Illuminati (Or pretty much anything from him; the guy is a mad genius.)
Trevor Ravenscroft – The Spear of Destiny
Giordano Bruno – Expulsion of the Triumphant Beast
Jovan Janičević – In the Sign of Moloch

Continuing from that, generally, what is something about life that fascinates you?

Kris: Probably death – you live, evolve and then you die, isn’t that fascinating?

T.K.: But even in death there comes life, yes? The party will go on but you have to leave as we are only the smallest of speck in this ever increasing cesspool. But life goes on, one way or the other.

As someone who has been around the Balkan metal scene for 20 years, I want to know, how has the scene changed over time?

T.K.: In a bigger picture actually very little, technology had changed some stuff for the better and worse, some trends came and went like before, there is no place for trends in this kind of music. The only good thing about them is to watch them crash and burn.

Excluding the esoteric and the occult, which we’ve already asked, is there any media Defiant recommends we consume?

T.K.: On books start with Erich Fromm – Anatomy of Human Destructives. With movies watch Angel Heart. Take two of these and call me in the morning.

We love underground music here, especially regional music that’s deserving of more recognition. Who are some of the smaller bands from the Balkans we should be checking out?

T.K.: Well, there are some that comes to mind. Attitude towards human extinction, Zlobnik, Kolac, Sitis, Khargash, Porazium. These bands I really enjoy watching live.

As we finish up for today, is there anything you’d like to add before we close?

T.K.: Thanks for checking us out and always use your mind for yourself.

Appreciate it guys!

Make sure to check out Defiant’s latest release Mammon Mantra, which has been released through Satanath Records.

Though I would also say to check out their entire discography, as each album offers the listener something a little different. To me, that is part of the charm – Defiant plays what they want, and they’ll keep playing what they want for as long as they keep going!

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