“Throw at me what you got, ‘cause I will break free, of all the webs that bind me” DevilDriver, Dead To Rights.
Last week, DevilDriver released their fifth album, Beast. I’d been looking forward to this for months, catching updates and feedback on Facebook. Somehow I resisted the sneak-peek of new tracks and videos. I wanted to go into this one completely blind. It was worth the wait.
With every new album, DevilDriver brings something else. You will find another layer, another hook, another level of ferocity. I’ve been a fan of singer Dez from his Coal Chamber days and I was excited when I heard he was starting a new band. DevilDriver is a departure in style from Coal Chamber and it was one of my first forays into real death metal. Since the first album, they’ve continually progressed and evolved. Just when you think that they’re as heavy as possible the next CD proves you wrong. DevilDriver is an insatiable Beast.
Dead To Rights kicks off the CD, beginning with pummeling drums and a gnarly guitar hook. You have to wait for the vocals. I can imagine Dez grinning wildly just before flying full on into the melee. This track is indicative of the rest of the songs: unrelenting intensity, punishing vocals, tech drumming, and more than a few surprises. The breakdowns are more intricate. They divert your attention for just a moment before the next riff takes your head off. This is a runaway truck and there’s a madman at the wheel. Check out the solo work in Coldblooded, the stomping breakdown in Blur, or the devious out-section of Crowns of Creation.
When you peel back the layers of sounds and get down to Dez’s lyrics, you’ll find a consistent pattern. It’s easy to overlook the details or make ignorant assessments. Aside from the beautiful chaos and head banging bliss, there is equal power in what DevilDriver has to say. These songs are about facing adversity and rising up against negativity. Sure, bad things happen to everyone. But you have to get up, dust yourself off, and keep on going. And if you’re not with him you’re against him and you’d better get out of the way. Sometimes you can’t help others until you’ve exorcised your own demons. Struggle and triumph can each bring hope.
Dez exclaims that he loves this and he wants to do it forever. I certain hope he does. The rest of us will be here, fists in the air, cheering and moshing all the way. With Beast, DevilDriver unleashed a true monster. They’ve outdone themselves completely and I can’t imagine what more they could bring us. Then again, I’ve said that before. This is rock. This is life. What are you listening to?
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