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Text: Horst
 Defender – City Ad Mortis
‘City Ad Mortis’ (1987), which was in fact a mini album, was Defender’s first and last effort that was put out through a regular label, and that was CBS. The five tunes that were one this EP can without hesitation be categorized as heavy/speed metal, and it must be said the band sounded very mature in those days. They were really a match for lots of foreign competition, so it was too bad this album never got the promotion it deserved. Especially tracks like ‘Die For You’ and ‘Deadly Peril’ kicked serious ass and are nowadays seen as Dutch speed metal classics. Besides the five original tracks also the self-financed single ‘Journey To The Unexpected’ (1989) - in fact a demo to shop around for a new record deal - is included, just like the more recent song ‘Labour Liberates’ (2001). This is a demo recording of a song which will be part of the new Defender album that will be released soon, and sounds pretty much the same as the Defender material that we know from the late 80’s: lots of melody, speed, twin-guitars and good vocals. The album is closed with three additional live tracks, recorded during their tour with the now legendary Toxik (including covers from Metal Church and Annihilator).
But I have a little point to nag about. Almost six years ago the guys from Defender released the sampler album ’Remaining Tales’, and this record also contains the mini album ‘City Ad Mortis’ and ‘Journey To The Unexpected'. If you already got that sucker and you have little or no interest in some live tunes and demo material (though this has never been released before) there is no point in purchasing this re-release. On the other hand, it still is a must-have for all the collectors of Dutch metal.
Tracklist:
1. City Ad Mortis (City Ad Mortis EP)
2. Die For You (City Ad Mortis EP)
3. Deadly Peril (City Ad Mortis EP)
4. In The Beginning (City Ad Mortis EP)
5. Counter Attack (City Ad Mortis EP)
6. Tales Of The Unexpected (Journey To The Unexpected single)
7. The Journey (Journey To The Unexpected single)
8. Labour Liberates (Demo 2001)
9. Metal Church (live)
10. Alison Hell (live)
11. Pesante Assai (live)
What was Defender all about? Former singer Simon Menting and drummer Remco tell the story…
 Almost every metal band is started by guys or girls who are metal fans themselves, and I guess you were no exception to that rule. Who or what made you pick up the instruments yourself and why?
I started playing guitar at secondary school in several bands. Our inspiration and our gods at that time were AC/DC, Judas Priest and Saxon. Later on I realized that I had more feeling for singing because I was too lazy to practise for guitar playing. Singing was and is the greatest kick I ever can get and I like to stand in front of a band.
Your first official EP ‘City Ad Mortis’ was released in 1987. How did the Dutch metal scene look like in those days?
At that time there was a big metal scene in Holland. Lots of bands like; Jewel, Spartacus, Wolverine etc. But attention from the media was more orientated on the “surf bay area” rather then on the Dutch bands.
How did it feel like, holding your first ever record in your hand?
Damn proud of it!!! Like holding a candy........And now were gonna kick ass!!!!
What did you expect from it? Did you secretly hoped for worldwide success, or was selling a couple of hundred already satisfactory?
We had no high expectations. If it could help us on our way, that would be very satisfactory. Unfortunately it didn’t do much. So we were back to scratch.
Did the release of ‘City Ad Mortis’ help you to gain more media attention and gigs?
Off course we get more media attention, but there was a great difference between the leading magazines and what they wrote about and the people we met at playing our gigs. If we had a little bit more attention from the media at that time, maybe things would be different. Even before releasing the album we had no complaining about a lack of gigs. It opened doors to some larger stages and playing supports for bands from the States
What was the final result of the release? Did it open new doors for the band (like in cool record deals), or did it not make a real difference in the end?
Before really releasing the album we got in contact with CBS (Sony now). They were willing to bring out the album. It looked like a real record deal, but without a really promotional budget. The album died...but we didn’t.....hehehehe. For us it didn’t made any difference.... we were always DYING TO MEET YOU!!!!
What happened to the band after when the buzz of this first release was over? Was it like you felt having to starting from scratch again?
More or less. Like I said it didn’t make any difference, a little disappointed yes. But our main objective was playing live for larger audiences, a record deal and the low selling could not bring us down. We had made name with our live gigs and that was what we loved the best.
Your career obviously did not stop after this first release. Can you tell us in a nutshell what happened to the band the years after?
We changed the bass player (Harm Noort for Arwin Vergers). Our perspectives were a little bit different at that time, but what the hack we still are in good contact with Harm. He did a great job playing in several other bands. We made a “mini” CD (‘Tales Of The Unexpected) and kept on playing.
What where the absolute highlights in your career?
Touring with Toxik. The good memories of hotels with the band and with the crew. Being on the road and laughing our heads off.
And what were the absolute lows in your career?
That it stopped. DEFENDER died.’ All the guys were doing besides Defender other kinds of stuff, like education and work. Sometimes it is hard to make a decision. But we made the right one, now we have more attention then we ever could imagine. That feels really good and gives us the feeling that we made the right decision at that time.
Do you have any regrets whatsoever, and are there things you would have done differently if you could do it again?
Not really. It went that way...It’s was a good time
If there is one piece of fatherly advice you could give to young dudes who think of starting a metal band, what would that be?
Be yourself, stay yourself at any time. Practice a lot.... Good things take time.
I am sure you have seen a lot of weird stuff in the years you were in the band. What is your favourite anecdote from those days?
Remco: Well, Simon doesn’t have a clue, so I have to answer this one J. One of them is at a concert we played in Delft. We played our first song and after that Simon shouted at the crowd: “HELLO ZWOLLE!!!!” He turned around and looked at me with a face like “oooh fuck!”. It sounded as if we were on a world-tour and didn’t know where we were that evening. We also had to cope almost every concert with our 6th band member Jack. He did a lot for us, but also had his crazy nights. Besides being our manager, driver and roadie he also did the lightshow. At one night he didn’t like our performance and shut down all the lights on stage and we had to do our last number in complete darkness!!!! At some occasions he pulled down his pants down standing in the middle of the audience behind his light desk. He liked to shock people J.
What are the guys from the band doing nowadays? Are you all still active in the music bizz or are some of you living the normal civilian live?
All the guys are still playing in and with bands, but all are doing it besides their normal jobs. I am a teacher. Harm is still playing in Goddess Of Desire and works for the local government. Henk is a computer engineer. Stef works with the elderly. Arwin is a house painter and Remco runs his own studio and started Rusty Cage Records
Well, this raps it up for now. If you have anything to say or add, the space below is yours…
Well guys thanks very much for having this interview with me and your interest (after more than 16 years) in Defender. Don’t hesitate to write us about stuff you want to know!!!
http://www.defender-music.com
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