Defects return with new line-up and crushing single, Artificial Icons

Defects have unleashed a thundering new single, Artificial Icons.

The track follows 2024’s Modern Error debut and last year’s standalone effort Heresy, and hears frontman Tony Maue holding absolutely nothing back…

“Look around,” the singer says. “I wanted to write a song that pushes you to think outside the box. I was faced with religious teachings when I was younger. I felt fear, I felt rage, and I wanted to fight back. Believe in what you choose, not in what others force on you for their own agendas, profit or control.”

To coincide with Artificial Icons’ release, Defects have officially unveiled their new band line-up following the departure of drummer Harry Jennings, guitarist Luke Genders and bassist David Silver last summer.

“It was incredibly tough,” admits Tony, who remains in the band alongside fellow original member, guitarist James Threadwell. “They’re my friends. I love those guys to pieces. When we wrote together, there was a real bond. There were moments when I didn’t know how to piece this together to walk forward.”

Now, in 2026, Defects are completed by guitarist Taylor Brown and drummer Rowan Jack.

Check out their first effort together, Artificial Icons, below:

Read this next:

• “I had to start again and build a foundation out of nothing”: The trauma and triumph behind Defects’ debut album
• Bury Tomorrow: “Life is about those tiny moments of hope, isn’t it? Hope is the only reason we have to continue”
• “They’ve always been ferocious, but that era was violent!” Bullet For My Valentine’s Matt Tuck on the album that changed his life