ION INDIE MAGAZINE April 2015, Volume 11 | Page 29

Jason Hurst and L.G. Thompson

I really don’t think that is it however. The star
of that studio escapade was 16 year old
TYLER FERENCIC--who when coupled with
DEFENDING CAIN front man BRANDON
WRIGHT created some smooth, effortless
harmonies.

“The Perception” is aptly named. People
have differing perceptions of what
DEFENDING CAIN. Are they Hard Rock? Yes.
Are they a little Rap? Yes. Are they a little of
this and a little of that? Yes. Are they without
barriers? Yes. I believe they created a CD so
diverse you would struggle to find anything
comparable in “the mainstream”--and for
that, shame on executives at some of the major labels. They did not tie themselves to a specific genre. They
created the perception that they are one of the most versatile bands from song to song, even within the same
song, which you will ever hear. I do give credit to a regional radio station 101.5 BOB ROCK for seeing that
Defending Cain is radio ready and worthy.
While the bands that opened the night, BAD SEED RISING, HATE GRENADE and BREACH THE SILENCE, all
deserve coverage of their own, make no mistake, this night belonged to the members of DEFENDING CAIN;
BRANDON WRIGHT (vocals), JASON HURST (guitar), JEREMY DOVE (guitar), L.G. THOMPSON (bass guitar/
backing vocals) and MICHAEL SNYDER (drums). In speaking with the band members prior to show, I know
they were looking forward to the show, but at the same time, there had to be some sense of relief that it was
here at last.
When the boys from Defending Cain hit the stage, the capacity crowd was already primed and ready. They
played a mix of music from their 2 albums, “Elements (Blue)” and “The Perception (Red)”. Not sparing any
effort in putting on a show, the bass drum lit up blue when music was being played from “Elements” and lit
up red when music was being played from “The Perception”. With a fifteen song set, at no time did the crowd
seem disengaged.
The set list included “Elements” favorites, “Trinity”, “Shiva”, “Vanguard”, “Pushed Beyond War”, “7-10” and
“Under Blue Skies”. From “The Perception” new favorites included “(Rise) Against All Odds”, “Eighty-Six”,
“To The Death”, “Katfish”, “The Color 9”, “Rawhide Rodeo” and “Dublove” (which is a song the fan base
absolutely loves, but the band does not especially care for). They closed out their music with one of my
favorites, “Letters to the Dead”. Never ones to shy away from sharing the spotlight, JEFF GLACE of HATE
GRENADE was brought up on stage to tear down the house with the encore, a phenomenal cover of “Bored“
by the DEFTONES.
While “Elements” had been on my top five favorite album list for close to two years, I can see “The
Perception” rapidly taking its place. Clearly, there was a lot of time and effort spent practicing for this epic
sold out event. The band was tight, the vocals strong and the showmanship top notch. I could go on and on,