1) Defiance is a punk rock band from Portland, Oregon formed in 1993 from the ashes of Portland’s anarcho bands Deprived, Resist, and The Unamused. Their album “No Future, No Hope” has been sited as a major influence on other ’90s anarcho and street bands such as The Unseen. Since being together Defiance has released 5 E.P.s and 4 full lengths. They finished their latest album in February of 2010 and will release it on Unrest Records.
2) Defiance is a Thrash Metal band from the bay area formed in 1985 by Brad Bowers, Mike Kaufmann, and Matt Vander Ende. They are known as one of the classic second-tier thrash bands to come from the Bay Area thrash metal scene. They played a decidedly technical style of thrash originally evoking bands like Testament, though they would later move on to playing in their own unique, more progressive thrash style. They recorded and released 3 albums for Roadrunner Records before splitting up in 1994. In 2005 the band regrouped and signed on with Candlelight Records. They released their 4th full length studio album entitled "The Prophecy" in October 2009.
3) Defiance was a d-beat rawpunk band from Osaka, Japan. Pre Gloom. Demo and some compilations.
4) Thrash metal/crossover from Caen, France
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Checkmate
Defiance Lyrics
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An unfair law upheld in the years before
They take a life from a child and their dreams
Imagine people never even stop to think
Back many years - Checkmate
They believe to kill - Checkmate
There was no law - Checkmate
Medieval torture - Checkmate
Now begins - Checkmate
Man to follow - Checkmate
Many to hang - Checkmate
Checkmate - Checkmate
People die still, some at their youth
No one knows why 'cause there never is no truth
Romans believe to send their children off to war
Retaliation, continuation of the war
Retaliation of the war
Some people die still, some still at their youth
No one knows why, there is no truth
Romans believe to send their children off to war
Retaliation, continuation of the war
Checkmate !.......
The kings and queens send their pawns off to war
An unfair law upheld in the years before
To take the life from a child and their dreams
Imagine people never even stop to think
The lyrics of Defiance's song Checkmate are a commentary on the horrors of war and the innocent lives lost as a result of political power plays. The opening lines describe how those in positions of power, symbolized by "kings and queens," send their "pawns" or soldiers to fight in wars. This law, which has been upheld for years, is seen as unfair because it results in the loss of countless lives, including those of children whose dreams for the future are cut short.
The lyrics then allude to a time in history where killing was a common practice with no consequences, represented by the line "There was no law - Checkmate / They killed at will - Checkmate / Medieval torture - Checkmate." The song then shifts to the present, highlighting how people continue to die in wars and how the truth behind these deaths is often obscured. The repetition of "retaliation, continuation of the war" hints at the cyclical nature of violence, where one act of aggression leads to another in an endless, deadly cycle.
Overall, the lyrics of Checkmate are a poignant plea for peace and an end to senseless violence. By highlighting the tragic consequences of war and questioning the motives of those who send others to fight, the song urges listeners to consider the true cost of conflict and work towards a more peaceful future.
Line by Line Meaning
The kings and queens send their pawns off to war
Leaders send their people to fight without thinking of the cost.
An unfair law upheld in the years before
There have been unjust rules enforced for a long time.
They take a life from a child and their dreams
War destroys the hopes and futures of innocent children.
Imagine people never even stop to think
Many do not consider the consequences of war and their actions.
Back many years - Checkmate
In the past, wars were fought without restraint.
They believe to kill - Checkmate
Violence was seen as an acceptable solution.
There was no law - Checkmate
There were no regulations to protect people from violence.
They killed at will - Checkmate
Those in power could end lives without fear of consequences.
Medieval torture - Checkmate
People were subjected to cruel treatment during that time.
Now begins - Checkmate
This is the start of a new era of violence.
Man to follow - Checkmate
Many will blindly follow those in power into war.
Many to hang - Checkmate
Many will suffer and die as a result of war.
People die still, some at their youth
People continue to die young because of war.
No one knows why 'cause there never is no truth
There is often no clear reason for war.
Romans believe to send their children off to war
Even ancient empires believed in the need for war.
Retaliation, continuation of the war
Wars often start as retaliation and lead to even more fighting.
Checkmate !.......
This is the moment where war cannot be undone and its consequences will be felt.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ESQUIVEL, DOUG HARRINGTON, JIM ADAMS, MATT VANDER VAN DER ENDE, MIKE KAUFMANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind