Published: July 10, 2026
The UK metal band will release Artificial Icons on October 16 through Mascot Records, with “Signs” featuring Trivium vocalist and guitarist Matt Heafy
Defects have announced Artificial Icons, a new album scheduled for release on October 16, 2026 through Mascot Records. The band have also released “Signs,” a new single featuring Matt Heafy of Trivium.
The album follows Modern Error, released in 2024, and continues the personal and social themes that have shaped Defects’ recent work.
“Signs” features Matt Heafy of Trivium. The source material places the song in a war-torn setting and connects it to the search for meaning, belonging and determination during a period of collapse.
Vocalist Tony Maue said the song was written with the intention of addressing real-world conflict.
“I want to write songs that matter. To make people think,” Maue said. “People are dying. This needs to be addressed. It's about looking for meaning. Trying to find a place to belong. There's frustration, but also determination, even when the world feels like it's crumbling. I'm so excited that this one features Matt.”
Defects released the official video for “Signs” featuring Matt Heafy.
Artificial Icons was produced by Jim Pinder, known for work connected to Sleep Token and Bring Me The Horizon.
The source material describes the album as a record shaped by anger, frustration, survival, homelessness, addiction, broken systems and damaged personal connections. Rather than presenting those subjects as fictional narratives, the announcement frames them as part of the band’s direct emotional and lived experience.
Modern Error documented Tony Maue’s anguish around being taken into care at a young age. Artificial Icons continues that path, with songs that address grief, trauma, instability and the need to keep moving forward.
Guitarist James Threadwell described the difference between the band’s earlier writing and the new album.
“Modern Error was built from the very first songs we ever crafted from the moment of getting into a studio together,” Threadwell said. “On this album, we really had the space to develop and grow into ourselves. It's an exciting metamorphosis.”
The album cycle also includes “Artificial Icons,” “Heresy” and “All For Nothing.”
According to the source material, “Artificial Icons” and “Heresy” move through socio-political themes, with “Heresy” confronting blind faith and false hope.
“All For Nothing” is described as a more inward-facing track, connected to addiction, overthinking and the fear of being alone.
The source material also connects “The Other Side” and “Afterglow” to a difficult period for Tony Maue in 2025, when personal complications threatened his stability.
Speaking about “Afterglow,” Maue described the song as a near-goodbye message.
“‘Afterglow’ was saying, go on without me,” Maue said. “I don't know if I'll be able to fix myself. The second verse talks about the justification of suicide. Accepting that I'm flawed, and I'll never change. It was a goodbye message, almost.”
Maue also clarified his present state in the same source material.
“I'm fine now,” he said. “The number of times I haven't been is still outbalanced.”
The album’s closing emotional direction is also framed through survival and movement forward.
“I can't give up. I've given up before. I know what that looks like, and I'm not doing that again,” Maue said.
Threadwell added:
“There's no limit at this point. We have a vision, and there's nothing out of reach.”
TRACKLIST
1. Heresy
2. Artificial Icons
3. Where Did I Go Wrong
4. Signs — featuring Matthew K. Heafy
5. Interlude
6. Critic
7. State Of Mind
8. Hollow
9. The Other Side
10. All For Nothing
11. Afterglow
Defects toured heavily through 2024 and 2025, performing across Europe with Trivium, Northlane, Of Mice & Men, Orbit Culture and Funeral For A Friend.
The source material also lists festival appearances at Download, Slam Dunk, Mystic, Rock Im Park, Rock Am Ring, Impericon, Rockharz, Summer Breeze, Rock For The People, Jera On Air, Graspop and Parkpop.
The announcement also presents 2026 as a new period for the band, with Tony Maue and James Threadwell joined by Rowan Jack and Orlando Morris-Winmill in the lineup listed in the source material.
LINEUP
Tony Maue — vocals
James Threadwell — guitar
Orlando Morris-Winmill — guitar
Rowan Jack — drums
Mascot Records is described in the source material as an independent record company focused on rock, hard rock and metal. The label has offices in New York, London, Paris, Milan, Cologne and Rotterdam.
The source material lists artists connected to the roster and catalog including 10 Years, Afterlife, Any Given Sin, Black Stone Cherry, Calva Louise, Conquer Divide, Crobot, Defects, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Earthside, Kingdom Collapse, P.O.D., Storm Orchestra, The Hara, Them Dirty Roses and VOLA.
Through “Signs,” Defects introduce Artificial Icons with a song that connects war, belonging and determination while bringing Matt Heafy into the album cycle. The record also continues the personal territory opened on Modern Error, placing trauma, survival, addiction, broken systems and social pressure inside a new chapter for the band through Mascot Records.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
Watch the official video for “Signs” featuring Matt Heafy below.
