Time to RepentSoul Seller Records
Off the bat (vampire bat?), the album art work is a nod to the 1960’s LaVey imagery and the band is named DEVIL. So let’s journey down this left hand path. The first riff of the album in “Break the Curse” is what you’d expect; a mix of metal and 60’s dusty rock, which is awesome. This isn’t doom in the sense that it does have an upbeat pounce. This is doom as in it is about the riff. Images of rough dudes in leather traversing the panorama on Harleys are elicited. These guys can write a song. As soon as the riff of track 2, “Blood is Boiling”, gets a little weary, they break into a breakdown followed by another.
While they may not break out into balls to the wall volume or intensity that I love with a CHURCH OF MISERY or BLACK PYRAMID; these guys do their own thing and they do it well. Songs like “Howling” have an intense 60’s rock feel; while it still borrows from enough NWOBHM to support its grandiose yearnings. “At the Blacksmith’s” is the best jam, the one most like that SABBATH band I adore so, with a bigger riff. But the production leaves it at the stoned rock level instead of pushing it to the boundaries. But at 2:50 when the breakdown comes, the band’s rugged sound wins me over. I am sure they play on some vintage equipment and produced it thusly. I just think more balls in the delivery would have provided the end result with a bigger bang. i understand that every aspect of their sound is intentional. and this is an awesome album. personally, i just like it taken up a notch in the volume and aggression department. That said, the foundation of these songs are so frigging good, that it is a winner. I also am reviewing this stone sober. My fault
The lyrics are of the red guy downstairs, chicks, evil, sacrifice, and rites. Songs like “Open Casket” speak of the torment of living amongst the puppets and misguided people of our society. “Death of a Sorcerer” is about, well…you figure it out.
When you dare to name your band DEVIL; no allusions or references – just DEVIL; you need to come out crosses inverted. And while these dudes’ tunes are the musical equivalent of Hell’s Angels (as opposed to DEICIDE, say). Everything coalesces to a honed end result. I am sure with a killer sound guy, this band kills it live at the altar.
FFO: EARTHRIDE, BLOOD CEREMONY, GRAVEYARD, SPIRIT CARAVAN, PENTAGRAM
3.75/5 dead virgins
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