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Review |
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“Beast” has been released a mere 18
months after the release of their previous album
“Pray for Villians” which is a tremendous
achievement to have got it all together this quickly
and released whilst still touring. One thing to
mention however is that it’s definitely an
album that grows on you because upon first listen
I didn’t connect with it at all but after
a few listens I really got into it.
The first single from the album that was released
back in January was called “Dead to Rights”
and when I first heard it I really didn’t
like it, but now however I love it. One thing I
must say about the song (and it applies to a few
on this album) is that the choruses are not as catch
as of those from the first 2 albums, songs like
“I Could Care Less” and “Hold
Back the Day”. One think you can say about
Devildriver is that they’ve never sold out
or changed their style, this album furthers their
style in a different way.
The second single “Cold Blooded” I prefer
to “Dead to Rights”. Right from the
start it gradually eases in from light and soothing
into the thrashing metal chaos. The chorus to this
song is more of the Devildriver I’m used to
its very catchy and heavy, this song has all the
right ingredients for a Devildriver song but not
sounding stale; use of melodic tones overtop of
the chaos adds for a much different approach from
the band.
Other songs that take the same approach and work
really well include the ridiculously heavy song
“You Make Me Sick” which also has very
good lyrics, “Blur” with its very melodic
guitar work and “The Blame Game” which
encompasses a more “Fury of Our Makers Hands”
era Devildriver song mixed with their new way of
writing.
Like I previously mentioned some songs had to grow
on me like “Dead to Rights” did; for
me to truly appreciate the songs they needed more
than one listen like the song “Bring The Fight
(To The Floor)” which at first I thought sounded
rushed but after a few listens I realised the skill
and technicality in the song that could not possibly
have been rushed. “Talons Out (Teeth Sharpened)”
is another one like these when I first listened
it seemed to just be a mess of distorted guitars
and drum rolls with double bass but after a few
listens you begin to appreciate the way it’s
written and the different style it takes on.
Included on the album is a cover of 16 Horsepowers
“Black Soul Choir” which is a country
song and a very odd choice for a cover. However
they’ve done such a phenomenal job of it that
if you listened to it not knowing it was a cover
you would think that it was a Devildriver song.
Its heavy and just Dez just makes it his, vocally.
Overall this album is amazing, yet I don’t
think it’s as good as “The Fury of Our
Makers Hands” or “Devildriver”
However, saying this I do believe it is a step up
from “Pray For Villains” which is always
a good quality that it surpasses its predecessor.
I think for their next release they should take
a listen to all their previous material and try
and integrate qualities from all era’s of
their music to include something for every type
of fan.
4/5
Review by James Webb |
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| Band
Members |
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Dez Fafara
Mike Spreitzer
Jeff Kendrick
Jon Miller
John Boecklin |
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| Track
Listing |
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1. Dead To Rights
2. Bring the Fight (To the Floor)
3. Hardened
4. Shitlist
5. Talons Out (Teeth Sharpened)
6. You Make Me Sick
7. Coldblooded
8. Blur
9. The Blame Game
10. Black Soul Choir (16 horsepower cover)
11. Crowns of Creation
12. Lend Myself to the Night |
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| Band
Related Links |
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| Review
Score Code |
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- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
-
What Was That? |
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