It's been four years since Quo Vadis' last record, Day For Night - four years, honing their art, seeking an identity, escaping the clutches of a piss-poor label and here they stand. Quite the feat that the Montreal-based trio are actually still standing. You know damn well that Quo Vadis have a keen grasp of their surroundings with the likes of Kataklysm and Cryptopsy dominating the scene's reputation worldwide. So why not bring in a legendary guest to up the ante? Upon the first listen to Defiant Imagination (originally titled To The Bitter End), the inclusion of bassist Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus, Testament, Death, Control Denied, now Sebastian Bach!) in the project adds icing to an otherwise delectable piece of cake. Leadoff cut 'Silence Calls The Storm' is an immediate call to arms embodying technical wizardry with a looming death metal presence much like Pestilence's Testimony Of The Ancients triumph. And amidst Stephane Pare's guttural bellowing (he'll be nicknamed "Death Raid Siren" after his performance on 'Silence Calls The Storm'!), drummer Yanic Bercier's insane, yet properly timed blastbeats and the matured leads of Bart Frydrychowicz, the material is calculated with precision and hours of honing. With acclaimed producer Pierre Remillard at the helm and a final mix at Morrisound, the complete package is punishing. Yet the polished outcome sounds like a Dieter Dierks Accept/Scorpions pilgrimage. While 'Break The Cycle', 'Fate's Descent' and 'Tunnel Effect (Element Of The Ensemble IV)' may forge their way with neckbrace speed, the melancholic choir that commences 'Dead Man's Diary' and ends the revenge-inspired closer 'Ego Intuo Et Servo Te' are truly epic in size. Let this one sink in and you'll be hooked. A testimony to forward-thinking metal indeed.