Formed in 2022, Liverpool’s Detroit Run began their musical journey in a post-lockdown world at a time when a lot of other new bands were taking their first important steps, or a wealth of should have been established acts were rebuilding the momentum they’d lost from two years away from live audiences. The crowded alt-rock scene didn’t stop these lads making an impression, however. Their early singles ‘Maniac’ (2023) and ‘Prototype’ (2024) were flawless showcases for their sound, sharing a driving, riff based approach, augmented with darkwave synths. Both tracks suggested there would be more greatness ahead, assuming the world could keep itself on an even keel.

The opening track from the band’s 2025 EP, ‘Defiance Part One’ showcases Detroit Run in even more of a direct manner. Their prior influences from Linkin Park are still very much present, and the love for that band’s early work comes through in massive waves during ‘Invincible’ – particularly during a melodic chorus where chopping guitars and stabbed keys weave in an out of a strong soaring vocal. If there are moments here that show off Detroit Run at their most confident, though, its when this tune dares to throw in a few spikier edges, bringing even more of a cinematic quality to their layered sound. The more direct approach sounds especially effective during the intro where pointed keys attack against a busy drum part, and with this riff dropping in to create a couple of sharp edged bridges, this track shifts effortlessly between moods, without ever feeling forced. A brief instrumental interlude towards the number’s end also shows off some great synth work, hinting at a soundtrack-like feel, which adds a really smart musical detour. For those who came for the heavy edges, of course, this still offers plenty of greatness via a crunchy guitar part – shared with ease by Gary White – providing a superb counterpoint against Tom Haywood’s very melodic vocal. If this happens to be your first exposure to the band, you couldn’t have hoped for a better first impression.

Things then take a superb turn with ‘Sleepwalker’ where the light electronica elements take more of a dominant role. A world of busy synth sounds underscores a soaring vocal during a very melodic intro, before the band shares a hard rock riff that’s peppered with some pleasingly punky/emo edges. The spikiness of the guitar work sounds great against a surprisingly youthful vocal, whilst the heavier elements of the instrumental work add a powerful edge that eventually drops into a perfectly executed melodic hardcore breakdown. There are moments here where the band’s Linkin Park-ish sound returns with a real confidence, and Tom’s emo-tinged vocals sound superb when joined by a chopping guitar. This is a perhaps a little more commercial than ‘Invincible’, but the band certainly don’t sound any worse for that.

Adopting more of a jangle at first, Gary’s guitars sound much brighter during the intro of ‘Chained Heart’, and during the track’s pre-chorus, he shows a great knack for a melodic metal chug. Elsewhere on this number, though, Detroit Run revert to an already obvious comfort zone when the main guitar riff drops a blanket of sound over some very 80s sounding keys and Tom reaches inside himself for a soaring vocal. Not that this is necessarily a genuinely bad thing, since Detroit Run have already proved to have an obvious affinity for such a crossover sound, and if you enjoyed ‘Sleepwalker’ you’ll also love this.

There comes a point, however, where that musical comfort blanket is gripped a little too tightly. ‘Tightrope’ sounds like it’ll be very different at first since the semi-orchestral intro promises bigger things, only to vanish, allowing the band sink into their preferred combination emo riffs, wibbly keys and emotive vocals. As before, this has its place and also presents some musical moments where the band shine – Tom’s voice holds itself brilliantly on a slightly heavier hook, and a shift into metalcore riffs and darkwave keys adds an interesting diversion, even if it never seems to reach its full potential – but, on the core of this number, Detroit Run already appear to be recycling themselves. ‘Prototype’ introduces bigger, pulsing keys bringing more of a techy edge to the Detroit Run sound, and this sounds like the perfect counterpoint to a filtered, deliberately inhuman vocal. Are the band about to really stretch out? Beyond adding a couple of beats that sound like a nod to UK Garage and the pop elements of a band like Issues, the answer is “not really”. The chorus finds Tom adopting his favoured soaring sound, and later in the track, the chugging guitar work returns with something that already sounds very familiar. It’s perfectly played and perfectly pitched, but you’ll already feel like you’ve heard this before…and much like ‘Tightrope’, any musical twists feel more like a casual diversion than a committed attempt at trying anything genuinely different.

These five songs are brilliantly produced, often well played, have a great balance between melody and crunch, as well as having a pleasing blend of classic riffs and alternative flavours. When heard from start to finish, ‘Defiance Part One’ has a lot of spirit – and the band’s talents are more than obvious – but, regrettably, the actual songs are in danger of blending into each other. In an age of streaming, of course, this is actually more of a minor point than it would’ve been had this been released back in the early 2000s. Approached individually, every one of these tracks is strong enough to hold its own: and that’s certainly the best way to tackle this release. Detroit Run are destined for a world of rock and metal streaming playlists, and if that wins the band a world of new fans, then this EP’s relatively repetitious heart will not matter, even in the slightest.

March/April 2025