REVIEW: Detroit Run - Defiance Part 1

Detroit Run are sprinting into the alt rock scene, brandishing their shiny new Defiance Part 1 EP. This EP is bursting at the seams with fresh energy and all the passion that the scene has to offer - and since the band only formed in 2022, they are absolutely brimming with desire to show themselves and their music off! The British quartet have named their biggest inspiration to be Bring Me The Horizon, and that fact is abundantly clear across the five tracks, so we’d heavily suggest that any of their fans give Detroit Run a try. 

The EP kicks off strongly with the track ‘Invincible’, which was released by the band earlier this year to introduce their fans to the sound of this new release. The song kicks off with dark, repetitive synths and an addictive vocal line, showcasing the talent found within lead singer Tom Haywood’s voice - a soft, yet still powerful, vocal line, with shredding guitars and slamming drums supporting him wonderfully. His vocals are especially reminiscent of the likes of Noah Sebastian of Bad Omens on this track, yet he also manages to blend the kind of vocals you'd hear on a pop track with the murkiness of alt rock, putting a unique spin on it via electronics and synths.  

‘Sleepwalker’ was the first track on this EP to see release, having come out all the way back in 2023! This number introduces a more impressive production than the last track, with punk influenced riffs and beats sounding huge here. Crowds singing every word with their full chest can easily be seen in one's mind, with relatable lyrics sung at an easy register to shout along to. This is most definitely a track meant for dancing along to, and even has a bulky breakdown in the latter sections. 

The next song ‘Tightrope’ is jam packed with synths and electronic additions that really help it to stand out in the crowd, and it also features what is possibly the best breakdown on the EP. The last chorus is equally worth noting, with added bombastic drumming that really drives home the rage of the track. This is undoubtedly the stand out song on Defiance Part 1, with its catchy nature and enormous sound.

‘Prototype’ revives that deeper, darker energy heard in the beginning of the release, found most notably within the use of electronic vocals to accent the breakdown sections. A booming bass that rings through your body, paired with Tom's raspier vocals, make a very interesting track. The ups and downs flow effortlessly, hitting every beat that you feel it should whilst still being unpredictable, adding a new feature at each intersection. 

The last track on the EP, ‘Chained Heart’, is completely new and brings an almost seductive energy to the table. Tom uses the top range of his vocals during the chorus as he leads the guitars shredding around him, incorporating a supremely addictive melody that you'll find yourself humming for hours after listening. This song perfectly wraps together every element of the EP and closes it out in style, leaving the listener wanting to press repeat. 

This EP is a great package of the latest that alt rock has to offer, and any fans of Bring Me The Horizon, Bad Omens and Linkin Park should be flocking its way. It's a great picture of the state of modern rock, with elements from all kinds of genres floating around in the mix.  Detroit Run have an incredible 2025 lined up for them with festivals and shows in the waiting, so make sure to head to their socials or website to not miss out. We can't wait to see the waves that they'll continue to make in the alt rock scene!

Score: 9/10

Defiance Part 1 was released on May 30th 2025.

Words: Amy Smyth

Photos: Detroit Run