Tokyo’s death metal trailblazer DEFILED will be releasing a brand new album, ‘The Highest Level,’ on April 28, 2023 via Season of Mist! The band is now sharing the title track from the album, which can be found at THIS LOCATION.

DEFILED comments, “We are happy to release ‘The Highest Level,’ the title track of our new album. The intention of the track is to capture the nostalgia of the late 80’s and early 90’s transition from thrash metal to death metal and bring it into the 21st century with our own interpretation. How will this track sound to you in 2023? It is not exactly the same as it was back then, but we hope you enjoy it.”

‘The Highest Level’ can be pre-ordered HERE and pre-saved on streaming services HERE.

Moreover, 2023 marks a seminal year for DEFILED as it celebrates three decades since the release of their first demo and twenty years since the Japanese death dealers formed a union with Season of Mist!

The band will be celebrating this release with a headlining tour of Japan starting from April 28 until it concludes on May 10. Then, then band will join HATE and VADER for three Japanese dates in June. The full itinerary can be found below!

The artwork for ‘The Highest Level’ was created by Wes Benscoter.

Track-list:
1. Off-limits (02:35) [WATCH]
2. Stealth (03:11)
3. The Highest Level (03:17) [WATCH]
4. Entrapped (03:16)
5. The Status Quo (02:32)
6. Warmonger (02:37)
7. Demonization (03:29)
8. Inquisition (03:39)
9. Madness Accelerated (02:11)
10. Delusion (02:54)
11. Only the Strongest Survive (02:54)
12. Red World (04:06)
13. The Last Straw (03:25)
14. Requiem (02:43)
15. The Speech (00:36)
Total (43:17)

DEFILED Live Dates (Japan 2023):
28 Apr 23 Yokohama (JP) El Puente
29 Apr 23 Tokyo (JP) Earthdom
30 Apr 23 Sendai (JP) Solfa
01 May 23 Koriyama (JP) Peak Action
02 May 23 Niigata (JP) Flower Pop
03 May 23 Nagano (JP) The Venue
04 May 23 Nagoya (JP) Daytrive
05 May 23 Kyoto (JP) Trust
06 May 23 Osaka (JP) Hokage
07 May 23 Takamatsu (JP) Toonice
08 May 23 Syunan (JP) Rise 
09 May 23 Fukuoka (JP) Reflex
10 May 23 Okayama (JP) Ark
09 Jun 23 Tokyo (JP) WWW (Vader + Hate)
10 Jun 23 Nagoya (JP) Holiday Next (Vader + Hate)
11 Jun 23 Osaka (JP) Zeela (Vader + Hate)

When it comes to straight-forward, bone-crushing death metal, Tokyo’s DEFILED delivers! ‘The Highest Level’ stays true to the traditional death metal formula, while the band’s gritty songwriting approach lends to its authenticity. DEFILED attempts to make no frills with this new full-length, instead speaking directly to the sensibility of old school death metal fanatics who are simply looking for some face-melting violence!

The early 90s was a crucial and formative time for death metal, a genre that started to predominantly emerge in the west with bands like Decide, Cannibal Corpse, Autopsy, Obituary, and Morbid Angel having a stronghold on America while Entombed, Cadaver, Carcass, and many others started to make waves in Europe and the U.K. But across the vast Pacific Ocean, DEFILED was taking a cue from its peers and became one of Asia’s leading purveyors during the genre’s early inception.

Upon releasing a series of demos and EPs during the mid-90s, the Japanese powerhouse finally released its first full-length, ‘Erupted Wrath,’ via Nightfall Records. Upon its release, the band broke out of Asia and started to make its debut in America across the extreme metal fest circuit – performing twice at Milwaukee Metal Fest as well as appearing at November to Dismember in Texas.

The band kept busy during the turn of the century while continuing to build their profile and dominate metal audiences around the globe and by 2003, they formed a union with Season of Mist, where the band has become one of the label’s most consistent death metal mainstays. Since then, the band has released six full-length albums, the majority of which are under the Season of Mist banner.

As the band celebrates thirty years since its legacy was formed, they are ready to unleash another pummelling offering onto the masses. ‘The Highest Level’ still carries the same time-tested formula that Defiled established three decades ago, remaining true to their identity, and still carrying the torch as one of the genre’s founding fathers.

More information at

• https://www.facebook.com/defiled
• https://www.instagram.com/defiledjapan
• https://defiledjapan.bandcamp.com
• https://soundcloud.com/defiled
• https://www.defiled.info

Line-up
Shinichiro Hamada: vocals, guitar
Yusuke Sumita: guitar
Takachika Nakajima: bass
Keisuke Hamada: drums

Tokyo’s death metal trailblazer DEFILED will be releasing a brand new album, ‘The Highest Level,’ on April 28, 2023 via Season of Mist! The album art, tracklist, and details can be found below! To celebrate this announcement, the band is now sharing the pummeling first single, “Off-Limits,” along with a music video! The clip is available at THIS LOCATION.

Founding member and frontman Yusuke Hamada comments, “We’re very happy to unveil the announcement of our upcoming album, ‘The Highest Level.’ First of all, please take a look at our PV, ‘Off-Limits.’ It’s the first track from the album and it’s a very straightforward tune for headbanging. If you like it, stay tuned for our new album. We think it won’t disappoint you. Thank you very much!”

‘The Highest Level’ can be pre-ordered HERE and pre-saved on streaming services HERE.

Moreover, 2023 marks a seminal year for DEFILED as it celebrates three decades since the release of their first demo and twenty years since the Japanese death dealers formed a union with Season of Mist!

The band will be celebrating this release with a headlining tour of Japan starting from April 28 until it concludes on May 10. Then, then band will join HATE and VADER for three Japanese dates in June. The full itinerary can be found below!

The artwork for ‘The Highest Level’ was created by Wes Benscoter.

Track-list:
1. Off-limits (02:35) [WATCH]
2. Stealth (03:11)
3. The Highest Level (03:17)
4. Entrapped (03:16)
5. The Status Quo (02:32)
6. Warmonger (02:37)
7. Demonization (03:29)
8. Inquisition (03:39)
9. Madness Accelerated (02:11)
10. Delusion (02:54)
11. Only the Strongest Survive (02:54)
12. Red World (04:06)
13. The Last Straw (03:25)
14. Requiem (02:43)
15. The Speech (00:36)
Total (43:17)

DEFILED Live Dates (Japan 2023):
28 Apr 23 Yokohama (JP) El Puente
29 Apr 23 Tokyo (JP) Earthdom
30 Apr 23 Sendai (JP) Solfa
01 May 23 Koriyama (JP) Peak Action
02 May 23 Niigata (JP) Flower Pop
03 May 23 Nagano (JP) The Venue
04 May 23 Nagoya (JP) Daytrive
05 May 23 Kyoto (JP) Trust
06 May 23 Osaka (JP) Hokage
07 May 23 Takamatsu (JP) Toonice
08 May 23 Syunan (JP) Rise 
09 May 23 Fukuoka (JP) Reflex
10 May 23 Okayama (JP) Ark
09 Jun 23 Tokyo (JP) WWW (Vader + Hate)
10 Jun 23 Nagoya (JP) Holiday Next (Vader + Hate)
11 Jun 23 Osaka (JP) Zeela (Vader + Hate)

When it comes to straight-forward, bone-crushing death metal, Tokyo’s DEFILED delivers! ‘The Highest Level’ stays true to the traditional death metal formula, while the band’s gritty songwriting approach lends to its authenticity. DEFILED attempts to make no frills with this new full-length, instead speaking directly to the sensibility of old school death metal fanatics who are simply looking for some face-melting violence!

The early 90s was a crucial and formative time for death metal, a genre that started to predominantly emerge in the west with bands like Decide, Cannibal Corpse, Autopsy, Obituary, and Morbid Angel having a stronghold on America while Entombed, Cadaver, Carcass, and many others started to make waves in Europe and the U.K. But across the vast Pacific Ocean, DEFILED was taking a cue from its peers and became one of Asia’s leading purveyors during the genre’s early inception.

Upon releasing a series of demos and EPs during the mid-90s, the Japanese powerhouse finally released its first full-length, ‘Erupted Wrath,’ via Nightfall Records. Upon its release, the band broke out of Asia and started to make its debut in America across the extreme metal fest circuit – performing twice at Milwaukee Metal Fest as well as appearing at November to Dismember in Texas.

The band kept busy during the turn of the century while continuing to build their profile and dominate metal audiences around the globe and by 2003, they formed a union with Season of Mist, where the band has become one of the label’s most consistent death metal mainstays. Since then, the band has released six full-length albums, the majority of which are under the Season of Mist banner.

As the band celebrates thirty years since its legacy was formed, they are ready to unleash another pummelling offering onto the masses. ‘The Highest Level’ still carries the same time-tested formula that Defiled established three decades ago, remaining true to their identity, and still carrying the torch as one of the genre’s founding fathers.

Line-up
Shinichiro Hamada: vocals, guitar
Yusuke Sumita: guitar
Takachika Nakajima: bass
Keisuke Hamada: drums

Recording studio: Blackroom Studio Naha, Okinawa (JP)
Mixing & Master: Studio Nest @ China, Japan / Kenji Kikuchi

Death metal maniacs DEFILED have announced new Japanese headline tour dates for the month of September! A full list of confirmed shows can be found below. 

The band comment on the tour: “How have you been? We hope all is well with you. 2021 has been a tough year for everyone on the planet and it’s still too early for us to re-start touring internationally. In this situation, we never lose hope and expect the improvements in 2022. In the meantime, we’re gonna do a few domestic (Japanese) dates following the hygiene protocols from our government. The shows have some restrictions for sure but we think “It’s better than none”. Please come see us if you’re able to come. Last but not least, please Stay Healthy, Stay Safe. Cheers!”

DEFILED Japan
04 Sept @Toonice, Takamatsu (JP)
05 Sept @Jett, Matsuyama (JP)
12 Sept @Susenji MRT, Fukuoka (JP)
18 Sept @Daytrive, Nagoya (JP)
19 Sept @Hokage, Osaka (JP)
20 Sept @Earthdom, Tokyo (JP)

DEFILED will be playing in support of their latest release ‘Infinite Regress’ which was released on January 24th, 2020 and can be heard in full HERE.

Track-list
1. Intro (00:23)
2. Divide and Conquer (02:30)
3. Tragedy (05:21)
4. Systematic Decomposition (02:33)
5. So Blind (02:48)
6. Legacy (01:58)
7. Masses in Chaos (02:01)
8. Centuries (04:17)
9. Aftermath (03:02)
10. Invisible War (01:45)
11. Ignorant (02:28)
12. Slaverobot (02:57)
13. Infinite Regress (02:48)
14. Outro (00:33)
Total playing time: 35:24