Most people should know Devil Driver or at least heard a track or two. They are a 5 piece band from the USA. Their music can be best described as metalcore mixed up with groove metal, with other influences from other genres. I got hooked to their music during my teen years when they released their self-titled album called “Devil Driver” back in 2002. “I could care less” was their big hit song at the time and definitely still stuck with me to this day. Those were fun times! I have not followed the band’s endeavours since then for the reasons mentioned below. Without even going into the album one of the things that make Devil Driver stand out from many other bands is the precision-based chuggy and groovy guitar riffs that when combined with the drums they write would get a lot of metalheads going. In core, I believe that is what the bands biggest strength and asset is and they do it better than most heavy bands out there.
Dealing with Demons has turned out somewhat interesting. Overall the mood in this album is sad and even a bit nostalgic. The album begins with a doom-like clean intro to “Keep away from me” which then jumps into groovy low ended riffs which will get people going. The work on the guitars is really enjoyable and a pleasure to listen to. The riffs are structured really well with different little surprises and detail coming in riff after riff. The album ends with another clean intro song titled “Scars me forever” which again carries a sad and somewhat depressing mood. The band seems to have somewhat gone the softer emo side on this whole album. In certain songs Dealing with Demons does go from heavy riffs to something more emo-like with the aid of a lead and then back to groove at parts. This particular album, for some reason, reminds me of Parkway Drive.
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Perhaps they played an influence here? Particularly the “Horizons” and “Deep Blue” by albums Parkway Drive come to mind here…
The screamo vocals and cheesy pleb-like lyrics are the only things that are holding me back as a fan. Some cliché emo lines such as “If I die for you, will you die for me” in Nest of Vipers track makes me wonder: do these guys make music exclusively for under the ’30s, or is this for people who are really simple-minded, or what’s the deal here? Perhaps conceptually this album is targeted to somehow aid people with depression or going through tough times. If the former is the case, I’m not sold. There are countless examples in this album of lines that for me are almost cringy, and in terms of concepts, I personally prefer something more profound or at least more subtle. The vocal delivery and style, in my opinion, don’t suit the music, especially the high screams, but that’s got a lot to do with me being a death metal guy predominantly. The band have got a really nice groove going on, what would be really cool to hear on the vocals is something more brutal, low growls and perhaps conceptually focused on strength rather than a weakness of the human psyche.
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The production of the album is good, the guitar tone is rich enough, and everything sounds on point. These guys get it about right pretty much every time. There is nothing to complain about here whatsoever. The favourite tracks for me would have to be “A reason to drink” – what a headbanger and the solo is delicious, and of course “Dealing with demons”, love the versatility here. Really nicely done!
Overall this is a great effort by the band, Devil Driver have something really cool going on, and there are some really good headbangers here. If you are not put off by some of the cheesiness and the vocals at times, then you would really enjoy this, although I might be wrong here as the band is doing well with what they’re doing. So I am just a guy with another opinion. I for sure will be trying to learn a few guitar riffs off this album, and I would like to hear these guys live and enjoy that crafty groovy instrumental work.
Release Year: 2020
Label: Napalm Records
Category: Album
Country: USA
Reviewed by Justin
