DEVILDRIVER „“The Last Kind Words””

Music: Modern Metal
Country: USA
Web site: www.devildriver.com


Cool Songs: Not All who Wander are Lost, Clouds over California, Head on a Heartache (Let Them Roll)

“The Last Kind Words” is the third album in DEVILDRIVER’s four-year existence. Many metal purists have written off DEVILDRIVER due to front man Dez Fafara’s nu-metal past (vocalist for COAL CHAMBER). This album distances the band even further from those unfair comparisons. In a recent Metal Center interview, Guitarist Mike Spreitzer commented on the group’s style, “I would call us more straight-forward metal.”

Sprietzer’s statement is for the most part right on the money, but lacks the term “modern.” New Wave of American Heavy Metal (NWOAHM) also aptly describes the group’s current direction. “The Last Kind Words” is a snap shot of the modern metal scene. Employing the talents of two of the best sound controllers in the business, Jason Suecof (production) and Andy Sneap (mixing), the group has found a polished, professional sound. Although the album’s production lacks rawness, especially in the guitars, all the instruments are clear, crisp and loud. The sound is grand, especially the drums. This is an album meant for cranking on massive home or car speakers. One could use Chimaira and Fear Factory’s sound for comparison.

The low guitar tuning is not too far removed from nu-metal, but bereft of the funky grooves and boring fret work. Instead, Spreitzer and Kendrick opt for muffled and open chugging rhythms, and catchy scale work. Also, the duo focuses more on melody—both in leads and solo breaks—to add a degree of expertise and emotion not found on previous efforts. “Clouds over California” contains some of the more memorable guitar work. A myriad of guitar changes and lead ins start the track before settling into an ascending hammer on riff that hits its peak before swiftly chugging back to lower ends of the fret board.

Drummer, John Boecklin is more than qualified to fill in the gaps between guitar technique change ups and tempo changes. Boecklin’s constant moving feet and rapid drum rolls not only keep the pace moving, it is the key ingredient for the group’s BIG sound!

Dez Fafara’s vocals must also be examined. Fafara is the veteran of the group. Obviously, he knows how to make a band successful. The easiest approach for Fafara would be to make COAL CHAMBER part two, but instead he has created music a great deal heavier than his former project. Through a Phil Anselmo-like screaming style, Fafara provides the perfect voice for the extreme direction he has chosen to stride.

When asked about “The Last Kind Words, Spreitzer made another comment during the interview that held true. He said, “Great album! Definitely, in all of our opinions, the best DEVIL DRIVER album we've done so far. We all had to step it up quite a bit as far as our playing skills.” After giving several listens, I can’t argue with anything in his statement. The hype is true. “The Last Kind Words” is DEVILDRIVER’s best album, by far! It is a genuine modern metal masterpiece.

note: 8.5/10

Tracklist

1. Not All Who Wander Are Lost
2. Clouds Over California
3. Bound by the Moon
4. Horn of Betrayal
5. These Fighting Words
6. Head on to Heartache
7. Burning Sermon
8. Monsters of the Deep
9. Tirades of Truth
10. When Summoned
11. The Axe Shall Fall
Total playing time 45:32

Line-up

Dez Fafara – vocals
Mike Spreitzer – guitar
Jeff Kendrick – guitar
Jon Miller – bass, guitar
John Boecklin – drums, guitar