Formed in 2015 by vocalist Paul Laine, bassist/guitarist/keyboardist Bruno Ravel, and guitarist Rob Marcello -- former bandmates in hair metal band Danger Danger -- the Defiants brought the big arena-rock sound of the '80s and early '90s into the aughts. The reunited trio formed the new project at the urging of their label head and, bringing in Van Romaine on drums, they recorded their self-titled debut, which was also produced by Ravel. Released in April 2016 on Frontiers Records, The Defiants contained melodic hard rock anthems full of guitar solos and singalongs reminiscent of the stadium-packing '80s style popularized by bands like Journey, Bon Jovi, and their own previous band, Danger Danger. ~ Neil Z. Yeung