DevilDriver – Pray For Villians
DEVILDRIVER is back, and like a great band should, they are back at their strongest. And after much anticipation, it sure is a great feeling to hear as big of a band as DEVILDRIVER is still keeping it real, and still keeping it metal!! DEVILDRIVER still unleashes some of the rawest, heaviest, straight no chase, in your face metal. As a band they’ve stuck to their guns, and found ways to make those guns a fucking arsenal. Dez Fafara’s signature growls have strengthened, the guitar teamwork is monstrous, and John Boecklin is even more of a madman on the drums! I love how the guitars have evolved, mixing those monstrous riffs into some epic compositions – combining both dark moods and hopeful bursts. Though Coal Chamber is frequently thought of when DEVILDRIVER is mentioned, DEVILDRIVER has really made a mark of their own. Not only for changing with the times, but for evolving into what they are today. I mean, Dez made a damn good decision to want to keep getting heavier and heavier, and DEVILDRIVER has sure proven that on Pray For Villians.
Making an explosive entrence and claiming their place, DEVILDRIVER unleashes the title track, “Pray For Villians”. Straight into the massive aggression of DEVILDRIVER, solid structures and punishing riffs blister the track, and when the anthem driven chorus of, “They pray for villains when our heroes let them down!” the band really sets the mood. Later moving into a great time change, DEVILDRIVER continues to fire away until the end.
Continuing on to “I’ve Been Sober”, a catchy and moving guitar riff let’s you know something big is about to happen, and John Boeklin checks in with some massive double bass accents, unleashing the full force attack. And wow, when getting into that raw presence that DEVILDRIVER does so well, the song really begins to give you the chills. Dez has really picked up on his hooks, and still keeps the balls to the wall brutality when needed. Such a great melodic section enters around midpoint, leading into the guitar solo’s shredtastic fretwork, and the band makes “I’ve Been Sober” both a memorable anthem, and inspiration to pick up your own life, and getting back on track. That is the power of music.
DEVILDRIVER sure goes BIG on “Resurrection Blvd”. I’ve never heard DEVILDRIVER so aesthetically awake, and “Resurrection Blvd” is one of those songs that will catch you within first listen right away! From the verse’s sweeps matched with John Boecklin’s frantic double bass blasts, to Dez’s powerful vocal delivery, the song truly moves you. The monstrous machine in DEVILDRIVER continues to work hard in this song, and the band plows through the verses. Oh, and when DEVILDRIVER closes “Resurrection Blvd”, take note of how the band continuously builds up the song, adding some strong melodies that counter attack its strikepoints. Brilliant song, hold on . . . I’ve got to listen to that one again.
On another note, the cover art to both the regular and special editions are badass!! I mean, owls do keep it metal all night long. But back to Pray For Villians. Their blistering new album is uncompromising, unfiltered, and undoubtedly a contender on the best of the year lists. From all the hard work that the band puts into their name, DEVILDRIVER deserves every bit of the moment. Every song sticks out for itself, while all fitting together in one big knockout punch. Pray For Villians has my respect, and as big of a band as DEVILDRIVER is, it’s exactly what we need for the masses to turn towards the heavier side of metal. DEVILDRIVER’s future will continue to grow bigger, and add to their own world they’ve already created.
Rating: 9/10
Label: Roadrunner Records
Website: http://www.myspace.com/devildriver
By Alex Gilbert
(+15 rating, 3 votes)
Your review sucked. Great album, but learn how to write.
Worst album review Ive red in my life, not mention this band is God awful.
i love how he’s a writer and can’t even spell the word “entrance”