An extreme metal supergroup based out of Los Angeles, California, Act of Defiance were formed in 2014 around the talents of Megadeth members Chris Broderick (guitar) and Shawn Drover (drums), Shadows Fall guitarist Matt Bachand, and Scar the Martyr vocalist Henry Derek. Drawing inspiration from thrash, Scandinavian metal, and American hardcore, the quartet's muscular sound and rich pedigree soon caught the attention of Metal Blade, who would go on to issue the band's debut studio long-player, Birth and the Burial, in 2015. Two years later, Act of Defiance returned with their sophomore effort, Old Scars, New Wounds, featuring mixing by Dave Otero (Allegaeon, Cephalic Carnage, Vale of Pnath). Included on the album was the single "M.I.A." ~ James Christopher Monger