DevilDriver Album- Death and Groove in One Pit
For quick categorization, every DevilDriver merch and album would probably fit best under the heavy metal label. There are some arguments though over which sub genre the band’s music really belongs to. Depending on which album you’re listening to, there are mixed elements coming from groove and death metal.
The occasional confusion over the band’s overall sound probably reflects its rocky start. This American band first came together when each of its members had different pursuits. Vocalist Dez Fafara was with Coal Chamber but had declared interest in breaking away from the group. Guitarist Jeff Kendrick, bassist Jon Miller and drummer John Boecklin were already Area-51 in early years. Fafara met Boecklin and guitarist Evan Pitts on separate occasions and DevilDriver was born in 2002.
Deathride was the first original name choice for the group. This however was not the best choice of name because other groups, musical or otherwise, were already using it. The group settled for DevilDriver being more original and menacing. The cross of confusion became the group’s official sign, one that illustrated the philosophy of questioning everything. The symbol and the name are all elements from Fafara’s own life, having had a rough past, Italian roots and having been brought up in a questioning environment.
Each DevilDriver CD is seemingly unique from the other. Critics think however that what is most likely strikingly different from everything the group has ever done is their self-titled release. This initial work has received considerable negative feedback despite the good sales of band related goth clothing. Some critics had the impression that the band wanted to enter the mainstream scene more than make music. After this release, Pitts made his exit and Mike Spreitzer took over.
Apparently though, the only thing difficult for the group was the start. Their second release The Fury of Our Maker’s Hand which came out in 2005 was met more favorably. This was proven by the fact that the album settled on the 117th slot in the Billboard 200. The album, which was recorded in a nearly isolated location, is so good that some tend to forget that there was ever a first one before it. Like the first release, this second one touches on elements of Fafara’s life.
The second album put the band on a roll and they released The Last Kind Words. They promoted their work in the Download Festival where music legends like Iron Maiden were also in attendance. In 2009, more success came for the group when Pray for Villains took number 35 in the Billboard 200. This got the band even more pumped up for work and led them to make more plans for 2010. Another album has been set for release. Although there might be shifts again in the band’s musical approach, listeners can only tell for certain once the work has been released. Fafara has already said though that the fifth release will be different from the other four.
It’s hard to create a strict category for a DevilDriver album. It doesn’t really matter much though. As long as they make relevant music, the fans will continue to listen.
Filed under Music by on Jul 28th, 2010. 
Recent Comments