Devildriver : "Strike and Kill"

 

Dez is surprisingly back with Devildriver, making new music in the wake of the Coal Chamber shows, which really surprised me as they blew Mudvayne off the stage when I saw them a couple of summers ago. He seems to have brought more of a nu-metal groove over with him on the opening track. Then, a more blasting thrash onslaught for "Dead In the Water". It is more pummelling, but his vocals retain purpose. Though the song itself might not be as original as the opener. Sonically, Slipknot is a fair comparison to what they are bringing, which is highlighted on "Sanctified In Scars". There are hooks even in the collision of ugliness. When the breakdown sections come, it's a little predictable, but still fun. 

There is a creepy mood underlying the title track that I enjoy. They are excelling at blending more aspects of what worked in Coal Chamber with the heavier sound that sets them apart from that band. There also seems to be more guitar solos than before. There is enough of a stomp to cross them over into younger metalcore audiences. There is a pretty mean riff in the middle of the title track that I hoped they would revisit. "In the Moonlight" starts off more melodic than I remember these guys getting through, they counterpoint it with racing spped infused thrash. I like it when it switches to the more sung vocal.

The blazing fast speed begins to get tiresome by "Ride or Die". I need more dynamics like they employed in the previous song, or it will all begin to sound the same to me. There are some well-assembled sounds gathered here, thanks to top-notch production, which helps "Headed For the Fall" establish more of its own personality despite the drummer being intent on going balls to the wall at all times. With the guitar solo, the breakdown formula is in place. There is a little more nu-metal to the groove of "Shut the Silence on," it's just tempered with some thrash riffs. Not the album's hookiest chorus. 

"Never Coming Home" should have held onto the opening groove rather than letting the drummer continue to rush things. It's the first song that feels like they are rushing things. There are some more melodic guitars for a few measures in the middle of the song. While I want them to be more melodic, I am not sure "Summoning Shadows" is the best manifestation of that. "Just a Ghost " works a little better in this regard as it's darker. It also works with the hammering metal thing they love to do."Oath of Iron" is more along the lines of Pantera, which is more familiar to their older work. 

"All Bets are Off" finds the vocals using almost a more rapped cadance which works well here. When they moved from this, it's back to the breakdown feel that dominated this album. They do throw a creepy part in before the breakdown, so they switch it up a little. I will give this album a 9, it's a more solid, balanced effort from them. Out July 11th on Napalm Records. 

pst274