Defences will be your new favorite alternative metal band.

Known for an eclectic mix of synth-heavy melodies and crushing riffs, fronted by the sultry and androgynous tones of singer Cherry Duesbury, Defences offer their next level take on metalcore. Over 10 years, two EPs ,and three LPs, the underlying theme of the necessity for introspection, self-reflection, and finding your inner strength bears strong. It’s “self-acceptance-core” at its finest.

Today, the Hertfordshire, UK-based band returns with the video for the new single “Lithium Kiss.”

“The inspiration for ‘Lithium Kiss’ came from one of our members’ personal experience being prescribed the mood-stabilizer Lithium for a couple of years, and the frustrations and difficulties that came along with the benefits,” comment Defences. “When treatment stopped, rather than feeling like before, there was instead a feeling of being almost hyper-rational, rather than feeling like they could react instinctively and naturally. ‘Lithium Kiss’ is NOT about not taking your medication and taking care of yourself and we would never want it to come across that way. It’s instead a crystallization of a paranoia that we are consumed by illness and treatment, adversity, and reconciliation. The ‘Lithium Kiss’ is our way of referring to this relationship — the symbiotic necessity for difficulty to bring about individual growth, whilst ensuring that it does not come to consume you.”

Watch the “Lithium Kiss” music video here

Stream the single here.

Defences have completed numerous tours across the UK and EU with several sold-out headline shows, not to mention plentiful festival appearances, including Download, Takedown, Turbulence and Burn It Down. They have already achieved more than 15 million streams with their releases and have been featured on some of the biggest streaming playlists.

Album cover for 'Lithium Kiss' by the band Defences, featuring a stylized silhouette of a person with long hair, against a vibrant pink and purple background with a bright light source.

Following the single release, Defences embark on an extensive UK and European tour. Full info about tour dates here

DEFENCES ARE:
Cherry Duesbury — Vocals
William Young — Keys, Vocals
Calum Wilmot — Guitar
Kyle Parke — Drums

Promotional poster for the Blossoms Tour featuring the band Defences and special guests, with tour dates listed for November 2025 across various UK and Germany locations.

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