DevilDriver - Roadrunner Records Australia

Since they formed in 2002, DevilDriver have enjoyed a slow, steady career build. Their self-titled 2003 debut was a crushing introduction to a new breed of extremity, spearheaded by the distinctive vocal ferocity of front man, Dez Fafara. The band's 2005 follow-up, Fury of Our Maker's Hand was more musically accomplished and experimental. But with their new album, The Last Kind Words, DevilDriver has taken a quantum leap up the evolutionary metal scale, crafting an album that's simultaneously brutal, melodic, technically complex yet instantly accessible. "We wanted to do something that was different than what we did on the first two records, and would stand out" Fafara says. "We wanted to keep our sound alive, but at the same time, move on. So, we knew that everyone needed to step up to the plate and push themselves to their fullest extent." The members of DevilDriver did exactly that, and then some. The Last Kind Words is the kind of album that grips you by the throat, and doesn't let go for nearly an hour. It's punishing and uncompromising, distilling the creative vision of the bandmembers into songs that pummel like victims of violent crime seeking revenge on their assailants. At the same time, each song is chock full of hooks that keep listeners pinned in place for the next round of bludgeoning. From the first listen to songs like "Not All Who Wander Are Lost," which features jackhammer beats, chugging thrash riffs and biting death grind, or the epic architecture of "These Fighting Words," a precise and militaristic melee between marching volleys of hate and triumphant Wagnerian melodies, it's clear that DevilDriver have realized their full potential. "Bound by the Moon" is graced with ravaging double-bass drums and sinister guitar harmonies, "Call to the Throne" compliments down- tuned clamor with multi-part pinch-harmonics and penetrating, machine gun riffs. And the title track embellishes trenchant beats and start-stop rhythms with harrowing, spare piano. "When I listen to something like Pantera's Vulgar Display of Power record, it still sounds great because it stands up over time," Fafara says. "I want this record to do that as well. Fifteen years from now I want people go, ‘Listen to that shit. It's heavy, but it's still catchy and it totally captures the essence and groove of DevilDriver.' It's of the utmost importance that we clarify our sound for the masses on this one." Fafara came up with the title of the album after writing the lyrics, "The last kind words will be/ You will live below angels and above beasts." The couplet addresses the predicament of being human, a theme that is at the very blackened heart of the record. "Out of all the things we could have been put on this earth as, being human is not good," Fafara explains. "It's like, okay, now you're stuck here with all these emotions and feelings and you gotta keep yourself afloat. The suicide rate has more than doubled in the U.S. in the recent past, so this album is about being motivated to stand up to the punishment of being a human and to have the character in you to go on when all people want to do is hold you down." DevilDriver started working on the new songs in 2005, soon after the release of Fury of Our Maker's Hand. The band members wrote riffs on the bus, backstage in clubs and in hotels, and Fafara scribbled down lyrics whenever and wherever felt inspired. By the time DevilDriver entered their practice space last year to assemble the songs, they already had a firm grip on the material. "It was important that we not throw this all together at a moment's notice," Fafara says. "We spent our time on these songs and were way more prepared to go into the studio than we've ever been before. There were songs where I had two sets of lyrics written lyrically and everyone had backup riffs, too, in case something needed to be changed. Fortunately, nothing did." In mid-November 2006, DevilDriver entered the studio with producer Jason Suecof (Trivium, Chimaira) and recorded the entire album in less than a month. They were originally planning to spend more time on it, but Suecof decided they were so prepared they didn't need to do pre-production, and he worked so quickly that, before they knew it, they were finished. "We just demoed the shit out of the songs until the were near perfect. We walked into Sonic Ranch and started recording with a clear vision," says guitarist Jeff Kendrick. "The vibe in there was so amazing," recalls Fafara. "I've never seen someone track so fast in my life. And, he wasn't rushing, he was just capturing the moment and moving on. A lot of what you hear on the record is first takes, which is cool because when you do take after take, it can suck the life right out of a song. Jason really captured this band." The lyrics on The Last Kind Words demonstrate just as much development as the music. Instead of screaming with blind rage, Fafara expresses his knowledge and experiences, and reveals there's much more to his character than dark mysticism and misanthropy. "Not All Who Wander Are Lost," for instance, looks at life through the eyes of someone determined to live in the moment. "A lot of people get overwhelmed with life and what they're going to do 20 years from now, and often they're the ones who are going to die early from heart attack and stress," Fafara says. "I'm one of the people who looks at things on a daily basis and doesn't get swept up in what's yet to come." By contrast, "Clouds Over California" tells a more personal story about the demise of friendship and the need to sweep up the dust and move on. "Today I swore that I wouldn't mourn ya/ Curse the clouds over California," screams Fafara over a backdrop of tumbling beats and buzzsaw guitars. "It's about being friends with someone for a long, long time and then finally just going, ‘You know what? This isn't working. I'm done with this. Don't call me anymore." With The Last Kind Words, DevilDriver have not just raised the bar, they have perfected their high-jump. Instead of just striving for the top they have outreached even their own expectations and delivered an album that puts them in an entirely different sonic realm. Without sacrificing heaviness, DevilDriver have become more melodic, without sacrificing accessibility - adding poignant complexity to their ever-evolving sound. After many years of extensive touring, DevilDriver have shaped their career on inspiration and remain diligent artists, with no airs or pretension. Drummer John Boecklin comments, "This is our most extreme, interesting and complete album so far. We focused on adding a bit more complexity to the structure of the tunes. I think fans will find a more mature DevilDriver with this album." The Last Kind Words are an affirming testament to DevilDrivers' on-going metamorphosis - combining the diverse influences shared by the entire band with a steady focus on song-craft. Transcending expectations, The Last Kind Words offers a fresh sound from a band that has firmly planted their place in the extreme music landscape. After years of touring and releasing records, DevilDriver have honed in the essence of their songwriting potential, with what has been described by the band as "...by far the best DevilDriver record we have made." 02/07/2009 - DevilDriver - Video interview with Jon & Dez Check out the interview below with Dez & Jon from DevilDriver where they chat about touring the UK, both a little worse for wear from ... 02/06/2009 - Golden Gods - Part One The Golden Gods Awards are in America now, and the video below showcases a bit of the action on the red carpet, with our very ... 02/06/2009 - DevilDriver - Australian Webisode part 2 In this episode we go further behind the scenes and checkout what DevilDriver did to kill time in Sydney, we see what Chris Adler from ... 28/05/2009 - DevilDriver - Australian Webisode : Part 1 Experience the trip from LAX first hand as we follow DevilDriver's trip into Brisbane, where they tour the first Soundwave Show of the tour to ... 28/04/2009 - Message from Dez - New DevilDriver album artwork DevilDriver are releasing their brand new album 'Pray For Villians' on the 10th of July and we have the album artwork revealed to you on ... 25/03/2009 - Lamb Of God vs DevilDriver bowling championship! While in Australia for the Soundwave Festival, we organised a bowling tournament between Lamb Of God and DevilDriver. What was originaly concieved to be a ... 18/02/2009 - New Madina Lake Studio Updates Check out the next two studio updates from Madina Lake below. The band are going to be in Australia this week as they help kick ... 13/02/2009 - Message from Dez - New DevilDriver album title revealed! This is Dez, DevilDriver is currently recording in LA with Lo 21/01/2009 - DevilDriver commence recording new album! DevilDriver have commenced recording their fourth, as-yet untitled album. The band –vocalist Dez Fafara, bassist Jon Miller, guitarists Jeff Kendrick and Mike Sprietzer and drummer ... 25/09/2008 - SOUNDWAVE 2009 As promised, Soundwave returns in ’09, and to paraphrase Southpark, it is bigger, longer and uncut!Topped by one of this generation’s most talented and uncompromising ... 15/04/2008 - METAL HAMMER GOLDEN GODS 2007 The list for the 2008 UK METAL HAMMER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS is in. And once again Roadrunner is heavily represented! The list of categories that ... 02/03/2008 - DEVILDRIVER: New Audio Message From DEZ FAFARA Available Mar. 1, 2008The Live Line, a service launched by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine that enables musicians to c 27/02/2008 - DEVILDRIVER: New video interview with Dez A video interview with DEVIDRIVER frontman Dez Fafara conducted by Rick Florino of ARTISTdirect.com can be viewed at this 22/01/2008 - The UK Press loves ROADRUNNER KERRANG! – Readers Poll 2007#1 Best New Band – Madina Lake#2 Hero 08/01/2008 - Dez from DEVILDRIVER on his band’s place in the scene. David Priest of OnTrackMagazine.com has uploaded a new video interview with DEVILDRIVER frontman Dez Fafara conducted prior to the band's performance at the Long Beach ... 16/12/2007 - Tim Bell has a pretty tidy Top 10 1. Machine Head - The Blackening2. Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos3. Megadeth - United Abominations4. Down - Over The Under5. Arch Enemy - Rise Of ... 16/12/2007 - DEVILDRIVER on Buckshot’s Bonanza Buckshot of the newest social networking web site called Woozyfly.com conducted an interview with DEVILDRIVER when the band was in New York City playing at ... 15/12/2007 - Francis Burns unveils his TOP 10 FOR 2007 1. Machine Head: The Blackening 2. Black Sabbath: The Dio Years 3. Porcupine Tree: Fear of a Blank Planet 4. Arch Enemy: Rise of the ... 15/12/2007 - Dan Meek delivers his TOP 10 FOR 2007 1. Chimaira-Resurrection 2. Machine Head-The Blackening 3. Arch Enemy-Rise Of The Tyrant 4. Daath-The Hinderers 5. DevilDriver-The Last Kind Words 6. 3 Inches Of Blood-Fire ... 09/12/2007 - Selections from ROADRUNNER Artists Top 10 Lists Selections from ROADRUNNER Artists Top 10 Lists What have members of various Roadrunner bands been listening to during 2007? Check out a selection of Top ... 02/07/2009DevilDriver - Video interview with Jon & Dez Check out the interview below with Dez & Jon from DevilDriver where they chat about touring the UK, both a little worse for wear from ... 28/04/2009Message from Dez - New DevilDriver album artwork DevilDriver are releasing their brand new album 'Pray For Villians' on the 10th of July and we have the album artwork revealed to you on ... 02/06/2009DevilDriver - Australian Webisode part 2 In this episode we go further behind the scenes and checkout what DevilDriver did to kill time in Sydney, we see what Chris Adler from ... 25/09/2008SOUNDWAVE 2009 As promised, Soundwave returns in ’09, and to paraphrase Southpark, it is bigger, longer and uncut!Topped by one of this generation’s most talented and uncompromising ... 21/01/2009DevilDriver commence recording new album! DevilDriver have commenced recording their fourth, as-yet untitled album. The band –vocalist Dez Fafara, bassist Jon Miller, guitarists Jeff Kendrick and Mike Sprietzer and drummer ... 28/05/2009DevilDriver - Australian Webisode : Part 1 Experience the trip from LAX first hand as we follow DevilDriver's trip into Brisbane, where they tour the first Soundwave Show of the tour to ... 07/11/2007DEVILDRIVER 'We Made A Better Record. Selections from the interview include: Blasting-Zone.com: What can you tell us about your latest disc? Dez: "We made a better record, man. It's got more ... 07/11/2007East Coast Romper's DEVILDRIVER review This review comes from East Coast Romper: The hype behind Dez's decision to disband with COAL CHAMBER and venture off with a new project has ... 07/11/2007ROADRUNNER Chart Positions The Billboard top 200 is the mainstream US music chart. These charts represent the first week in for both bands. DEVILDRIVER – "The Fury of ... 07/11/2007The DEVILDRIVER reviews keep on coming Some people want to stay young, some want to stay healthy but very few appear to want to be truthful… Wherever you look there are ... 07/11/20074K DEVILDRIVER review in Kerrang UK Magazine Comments include: “Bigger bolder and much heavier than their self titled debut, DevilDriver's second album is a fucking monster. The first thing fans will notice ... 07/11/2007Roadrunner All-Stars – It gets grander every day Roadrunner Records has advanced in the process of putting together the groundbreaking "Roadrunner All-Stars" record to mark the label's 25th anniversary. The full-length release will ... 07/11/2007TransformOnline.com worshipping DEVILDRIVER At the 1:02 mark of the first track on The Fury of Our Maker's Hand, it's clear that this album is Devildriver. Not that the ... 07/11/20074 Star DEVILDRIVER review from Revolver Magazine Comments include: “'The Fury Of Our Maker's Hand' is an ear damaging triumph on several levels. Psychologically it pulls DevilDriver completely out of nu-metal limbo ... 07/11/2007ROADRUNNER UNITED The complete assessment Here it is… everything you need to know about the forthcoming All Stars Sessions CD. The complete details have been announced for the upcoming ROADRUNNER ... 07/11/2007TRIVIUM announce 'The Crusade' Trivium have posted the following message on their official web site: "We will be out until the middle of December then we will take a ... 07/11/2007DEVILDRIVER End Of The Line Video DevilDriver have posted their new 'End Of The Line' video at their official site. Features on the road and a wealth of live footage. 07/11/2007ROADRUNNER UNITED 'The All Star Sessions' Review A stellar review of the forthcoming RR United album. The definition of an all star jam session Ever wondered what it would sound like for ... 07/11/2007DEVILDRIVER The Second Perfect Review! Dez Fafara has obviously forgotten completely about Coal Chamber, and with good reason. The self-titled Devildriver being an eye-opening glimpse into this band's power, its ... 07/11/2007ROADRUNNER UNITED 'The All Star Sessions' A special release celebrating Roadrunner's 25th birthday. This is no mundane comp either! Roadrunner Records has put together a groundbreaking record to mark the label's ... Pray For Villains Pray For Villains Pray For Villains (Special Edition) Pray For Villains (Special Edition) Pray For Villains (Single) Pray For Villains (Single) The Last Kind Words The Last Kind Words The Fury Of Our Maker's Hand The Fury Of Our Maker's Hand Devildriver Devildriver