Customer Reviews

DevilDriver

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I am not a huge fan of Coal Chamber as I felt that they exemplify the whole nu-metal thing. People like me may be reluctant to get Devildriver's CD for this reason, but Devildriver are really nothing at all like Coal Chamber. Devildriver has really made an effort to make a solid metal album, shying away from the gimmicks that so often define a typical nu-metal band. There are no electronics, costumes, or hip-hop crap present on this CD, just straight-up guitars (there are 2 guitar players), drumming, and aggressive vocals. Devildriver are not nu-metal, death metal, or thrash -- they are just metal, which is something that is not around much these days.

First of all, the guitar work is very solid for a good metal CD -- great riffs are everywhere. There are little or no solos here, but there is plenty of low-end, punishing guitar-work. The drumming is very solid with a lot of pounding double-bass that is perfect for a pure metal band. Dez's vocal are always very rough and he almost never uses his clear singing voice (which is a good thing). This vocal style is perfect for the type of music on this CD. I won't lie and say that the lyrics are stellar -- they aren't terrific by any means, but then again they could be a lot worse. For this type of album, however, the lyrics are overshadowed enough by the music that this shortcoming is relatively minor.

Bottom line -- this is a very good CD for you if you just want to listen to real metal from a new band (rather than dig through a bunch of 10+ year old albums). Standout tracks include "I Could Care Less", "Cry For Me Sky", "The Mountain", and "What Does It Take".

Last year it was Killswitch Engage. This year Devildriver holds the title for most creative, accessible, and all out heavy metal release. To quote another "well-listened" reviewer, this doesn't build on Coal Chamber, it blows it out of the water.

The vocals are actually somewhat different than any previous Dez release, much more along the lines of death metal than nu-metal. When I hear "nu-metal", I see Korn. This sounds closer to The Berzerker than Korn, it even ventures to grind metal for brief moments (Die). He never sings, it's always an insane (but catchy) pace.

The guitar is an even further cry from Coal Chamber. To me, it closely resembles the guitar-age of my favorite swedish death metal band, In Flames. Only... without the epic solos. The guitar is always a great head-banging rhythem. And the frantic-as-hell drums never lose a beat.

There are quite a few very "catchy" songs, here, as well as a few that are all out crazy-pit songs (a la "great southern trendkill"). I would have to recommend Dreamed I Died, Die, Cry For me Sky, and The Mountain. They're four of the best metal songs I've ever heard. Don't get me wrong, if you buy the album, you'll listen to it start-to-finish every time. All songs deserve a listen. Also, if you get the chance to see DevilDriver live, as they will be touring for 18 months between albums, GO SEE THEM. It's an amazing show.

Oh, and if you think the hair-style of band members decide how "metal" an album is, you're an idiot.

I can't understand some people, like the ones who say "Oh, DevilDriver are just crappy MTV rock." or "DevilDriver are SO nu-metal." 1st off, DevilDriver have never had a video on MTV. MTV 2, yes, but only on Headbanger's Ball, and even Slayer and Metallica and Opeth have been on that show, so that comment is shot down right there. 2nd, DevilDriver are NOT nu-metal. I have nothing against nu-metal, but nowadays people claim a band is nu-metal way too often. Apparently, EVERY band in the world is nu-metal, I've heard everything from Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Opeth, Cradle of Filth, and so on become nu-metal just because one person dislikes them or they changed a tiny bit from the way they used to sound. I love metal, but I'll admit this: metal fans are the biggest bunch of whiny losers in the world. Sometimes, I even deny that I like metal because I'm ashamed at the way some of my fellow metal fans act. It's sickening. A message to all metal fans: GROW UP, and quickly. I dislike Cannibal Corpse, but I don't call them nu-metal, they're obviously death metal. I also don't bash others for liking them. Long live DevilDriver. \m/

I was introduced to DevilDriver with The Fury Of Our Maker's Hand and was severely blown away. Sometimes stepping back to the previous release can be a let-down, as the band may have developed with significant differences from release to release. Not so with DevilDriver. Each CD is unique, unmistakeable, and ultimately bone crushing! This first DevilDriver release is an absolute must have!

What happens when you show a nu-metal frontman the extremes of metal you get the band Devildriver. From what I read in Terrorizer magazine Dez was introduced by Phil to some tapes from early Burzum and Darkthrone. Thank you Phil!!! If that is all it takes to convert nu-metal than please continue. Now not a perfect Blackmetal or Deathmetal album it is a great start. Dez still has that Coal Chamber voice. However there are alot more raspy vocals. Its a very good change for Dez. I hope they improve more over time and get deeper meaning and mystery in their lyrics that or even cartoonish Vincent Price style black lyrics (Mercyful Fate). I still commend Dez on his journey into the extremity of metal music and a good way to introduce nu-metal fans into other forms of music. As always there is room for improvement and I'm the longer these guys stay in the extreme forms of metal the more they will improve. For nu-metal fans wanting to spread out try some Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Emperor (most notably Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk), Tiamat, Samael, and Satyricon first since they are close to being commercial. Then go into bands such as early Bathory, Celtic Frost, Venom, Darkthrone, Mayhem, Marduk, and Dissection. As for Deathmetal first The Crown, In Flames, Soilwork, Strapping Young Lad, and Lamb of God since this is pseudo deathmetal. Go towards more of the Swedish style of Dismember, Edge of Sanity, old Entombed, and Hypocrisy. Then listen to Deicide, Six Feet Under, Morbid Angel, Obiturary, Carcass, Napalm Death, Cannibal Corpse, The Berzerker, and Repulsion. Hope this helps!!!

Anyone who thinks this cd sounds like Coal Chamber in any way is out of their mind. With the opening track, "Nothing's Wrong?", I did not even recognize that it was Dez Fafara singing. From then on it gets better and harder. This cd is one of the best true and honest metal albums I have heard in years. Much harder and better than anything Coal Chamber ever did. Don't think I am bashing on Coal Chamber. They are (were) a great band and any metal band should pay them hommage and respect. However, this album completely detaches from the Coal Chamber sounds and does something that will totally beat the crap out of you. The sound is more death metal than anything. From the opening to closing of this album, it is nothing but feirce, double-bass, fast paced death/thrash metal riffs. Please, I urge any true metal fan to buy this album. It is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Anyone who says or thinks that this band sounds like or compares them to Coal Chamber is inaccurate. The conection between the 2 bands is that Dez sang/sings for them both, however, his voice is utilized a lot differently on this cd than in Chamber. There are parts when you do recognize it is him but most of the time its higher or lower than before. The music if anything does not resemble Chamber in any way shape or form. On here you get thrash/death like riffs (although purists will disagree for the sake of purity) but yes there are thrash/death riffs on here. The drums are severe and vicious, chock full o'double bass, fast snare hits, never heard of this drummer but he is very skilled. In conclusion, if you are looking for a pure, fast, heavy, darkened metal album then this is your best bet, do not judge them by the singers past band.

The first time I heard any of their songs was live and it was great! This album is definitely not as good as The Fury of our Maker's hand (newest album), but who cares! When I saw these guys live, DEZ sounded like a growling DEMON on stage! I could not believe my ears! Live, these guys capture the sound of the album with no problem. The guitar work sounds pretty damn cool on this album. The bassist does an excellent job holding down the beat and he was excellent live. The real key to enjoying these guys is listening to the drums. They have a sound to them that just makes every song flow a certain way; can't explain it. There are a couple of not so great songs or just too repetitve (Devils' Son, Swinging The Dead). The Mountain is my personal favorite, I Dreamed I Died, Meet The Wretched, Cry for Me Sky are my favorites also. This is the kind of CD you can pop in and get a Heavy Metal RUSH immediately! This CD is for head banging and pure mayhem. I call it FUN METAL, because you really can't listen to the album without moving around! All I got to say is stop comparing this to any of Dez's work with Coal Chamber. Coal Chamber is done, so let it go. This album has NO NU-METAL influences. Even their videos on MTV were not "mainstream"; they had an edge to them. The songs may be simplistic, but that adds to the fun factor. The breakdowns are massive and out of control; great to jump in the MOSH pit during those! Buy this album and their new one. No reason not too!

The title seems to sum up my feelings relatively well. I love Dez Fafara as a vocalist and Coal chamber is (was?) one of my all time favorite bands and one of the first metal groups i got into. Let me say that if you're a fan of "Dark Days" then you will love this album. The screaming on here is very gutteral and awesome and there is some pretty mad double pedal action on a few of the tracks. The guitar is absolutely amazing. Be thee warned about this one though, if you're not REALLY into metal, stay away from this, as this could almost be classified as death metal. Standout tracks are "I dreamed I died", "Swinging the dead", "The mountain", "Knee deep", and...well...every freaking track on this cd. I bought this about a week ago and I have listened to nothing else since.

This is a great album for any fan of heavy music. The CD as a whole is very good and definately worth buying. Judge for yourself, listen to clips from this site or go to their web site for MP3s. Standout songs are I Could Care Less, Knee Deep, and Die (And Die Now). And "for the record," I don't know what some people think nu-metal is but this is not it.