The primary half of DevilDriver’s double album Coping with Demons was launched in 2020, an formidable follow-up to their 2018 Outlaws ‘Til the Finish Vol. I that coated nation artists starting from Willie Nelson to Johnny Money. Since then, the band has undergone some lineup modifications.
Guitarist Neal Tiemann, bassist Diego Ibarra and drummer Austin D’Amond have all exited, changed by guitarist Alex Lee (Bonded By Blood), drummer Davier Perez (Pit Struggle Demolition) and returning unique bassist Jon Miller. Nonetheless, Coping with Demons Vol. II was recorded concurrently Quantity I, between July 2018 and February 2019.
Which means the 2 albums, produced by Steve Evetts (Suicide Silence, The Dillinger Escape Plan) are related sonically and musically, although there are some variations. The primary one is that general, Coping with Demons Vol. II is even heavier and extra angst-ridden that its predecessor, although there’s no scarcity of groove or melody.
Opener “I Have No Pity” showcases the guitars for the primary 45 seconds or so earlier than Dez Fafara’s potent vocals kick in. Catchy melodies distinction the heaviness, which is the template DevilDriver has perfected over the previous twenty years.
The album’s lyrical theme of coping with Fafara’s demons is exemplified in “Mantra,” one of many document’s heaviest tracks. Sure to change into a dwell favourite with its groove and memorable “it is a witch’s mantra” refrain, it additionally namechecks the album title with the road “What we do at nighttime comes circling again, coping with demons.”
monitor titles, one would most likely guess that “Massacre” can be an intense track, and it lives as much as its title with pummeling drums and a name to change into the hunter and never the prey. That extremity lasts till almost the top of the track earlier than it pulls again within the final ten seconds for a mellow ending.
There aren’t an entire lot of surprises on the album, not like the primary half’s “Wishing,” which has Fafara incorporating some melodic singing alongside his common intense growls. “Nothing Final Without end” does have some spoken phrase elements that add some selection to the proceedings.
One other numerous track is “By means of the Depths,” with its melodic starting transitioning to a short black steel influenced part earlier than the groove engages. In addition they add symphonic environment, giving it a cinematic contact. Among the finest songs on the album is the penultimate monitor “If Blood is Life,” with memorable riffs, crushing grooves and an fascinating guitar solo.
Taken as an entire, Dealing With Demons is 20 songs clocking in at about 75 minutes, with a pleasant move between Vol. I and II. It options excellent guitar work from Tiemann and Mike Spreitzer, who I feel is one in all steel’s extra underrated axemen, together with Fafara’s passionate and distinctive vocals. If compelled to choose, I’d give a slight edge to Quantity I, however there’s additionally lots to love with Coping with Demons Vol. II.
