Armitage’s track “Victory or Defeat,” from their concept EP Robusuta, is a no-holds-barred metalcore assault that captures both the chaos of its kaiju-inspired story and the raw emotion of a band pouring everything into their music.
Built around thunderous drums, sharp guitar riffs, and a bass tone that’s, as one reviewer put it, “absolutely filthy,” the song drives forward with unstoppable force. Jason Walker’s drums slam with relentless energy, while Dan Turnquist’s guitar work balances crushing heaviness with melodic undercurrents that keep the track dynamic. Jesse Condra’s vocals are a standout, shifting from soaring cleans to guttural screams that mirror the battle between hope and destruction happening in the lyrics.
Recorded DIY in Jason’s home studio, “Victory or Defeat” still sounds surprisingly polished, with a tightness that belies its grassroots production. The writing process — fueled by constant jam sessions and real-time recording — brings an organic, immediate feeling to the song, making every breakdown and every chorus hit harder.
Sonically, it’s a love letter to 2000s metalcore — think Killswitch Engage’s melodic intensity fused with Atreyu’s emotional aggression — but “Victory or Defeat” has a life of its own. It’s not just another heavy track; it’s about standing strong when everything around you is falling apart. In both sound and spirit, Armitage captures the feeling of fighting through the storm, whether that storm is a fictional kaiju attack or the very real battles we face every day.
Victory or Defeat shows that even in DIY conditions, passion and chemistry can create something massive, and Armitage is proof.