Following their spectacular collaboration with SKINDRED's Benji Webbe on "More Of Us (Than There Are Of Them)," British alt-metal outfit DEFENCES return with their striking new single, "Death Of A Dream." The track explores the bittersweet grief of relinquishing an old vision for the future, celebrating the liberation that comes with stepping fully into your own power.
''Sometimes you have to allow an old dream to die to make space for a life that actually feels like yours,'' explains vocalist Cherry Duesbury.
Blending the band's signature melodic catchiness with nu metal and EDM influences, "Death Of A Dream" lands squarely in the realm of Spiritbox, The Plot In You, and Bad Omens. The single perfectly sets the stage for DEFENCES as they prepare for their upcoming UK tour alongside Future Palace this autumn, with a European run already in the works for 2027.
Watch the video for "Death Of A Dream" below.
Stream the single here.
Singer Cherry Duesbury on the theme of the song: '''DEATH OF A DREAM' is the product of laying some of my deepest desires and wishes to rest. It's all about the difference between subconsciously leaving a dream behind and fully accepting that the path has closed, which is made exponentially harder when what you’re leaving behind is a future you once believed you wanted above all else. While there is real grief in that realization, the whole point of this song is that self-actualization is a violent, destructive act that is necessary to allow the creation of a new life from the ashes of an old one.
"The writing process for 'DEATH OF A DREAM' almost felt supernatural in how quickly and clearly the lyrics came to me, which is fitting given it was written on the summer solstice! 'I get to decide how I wanna show up' was the first line I wrote and it wasn't just a hook, it was the thought the entire song grew from. It was almost as if my future self was telling me what I needed to hear in that moment following a total upheaval in my life and the birth of a new chapter. It was a refreshing change to stop thinking about how I reach self-acceptance and instead to start enjoying the fact that I had already achieved it. This whole song feels like a future version of myself telling me to stop searching for absolution, to choose myself, take up space and step into who I am. I can hear that voice telling me: ''You're already here, so start acting like it!'"
Known for their eclectic blend of synth-heavy melodies and crushing riffs, fronted by the distinctive tones of singer Cherry Duesbury, DEFENCES have taken modern metalcore to the next level. Across a decade, two EPs, and three LPs, themes of introspection, self-reflection, and inner strength remain front and center — delivering self-acceptance-core at its finest.
The British group has built a formidable live reputation across the UK and Europe, sharing stages with RØRY, FUTURE PALACE, TRASH BOAT, and REDHOOK alongside selling out their own headline shows and landing major festival slots. With over 15 million streams to date and features across flagship streaming playlists, DEFENCES continue their steady rise.
DEFENCES LIVE:
SUPPORTING FUTURE PALACE:
11/4 — London, UK —The Garage
11/5 — Manchester, UK — Academy
116 — Glasgow, UK — Slay
11/7 —Leeds, UK — Key Club
DEFENCES ARE:
Cherry Duesbury — Vocals
William Young — Keys, Vocals
Calum Wilmot — Guitar
Kyle Parke — Drums
