Australia, get ready to have your faces completely melted because some spectacular savagery is heading down under this winter. Floridian metalcore titans Wage War are returning to our shores for their first-ever nationwide headline tour, and if you think they’re coming alone to play nice, you are dead wrong. They are bringing one of the […]
When did you last listen to Devildriver? For me, it must have been over a decade ago. I blame Dez Fafara for my retirement from the pit when I pulled my hamstring charging around to Clouds Over California at the NIA in Birmingham when they opened for Machine Head (circa 2011).
I admit I was not even aware of Devildriver’s last few releases, and it has been over eight years since the band played the UK.
Devildriver return with Strike And Kill, a relentless blast of savage riffs
In terms of ferocity, nothing has changed on Strike And Kill. The surging aggression that was a distinguishing feature of the Devildriver albums I remember is even more vicious than before.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Farfara sounds absolutely pumped on this album, and the opening double aural assault of Dig Your Own Grave followed by Dead In The Water are both snarling monsters. If you did not like this brutal melodeath assault then, you will not like it now, for there is an unstoppable, rabid passion here that rages.
There is a blend of melody underneath the ferocious onslaught, and Farfara’s instantly recognisable jagged yet controlled delivery. It is relentless for the first few tracks, even if the band dip into a more groove-ridden stomp on Sanctified In Scars.
And it is that slight change of pace and tone that makes this album well worth a listen. There is an assault on the senses that is to be expected, but there are elements of industrial tempo, huge blast beats that dominate without overpowering.
If explosive aggression ticks your boxes, then Never Coming Home with its definite Machine Head vibe is for you. Thundering along like an express train, it is savagery in its finest. The mix of melodic vocals on the chorus provides an unexpected bonus.
The musicianship is on point. Guitar duo Alex Lee and Gabe Mangold shred for fun here with some of the screaming solos that fire out of the speakers, simply awesome. It is a real head kicker.
Thrash, Melodeth, Black Metal. All are represented, as well as the more traditional Metal Styles. Founding bassist Jon Miller has also returned, and he sounds immense as he locks down the low end with the master drummer Davier Perez.
Ultimately, whether you like this album or not is obviously your choice. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Devildriver circa 2026 are still as interesting as they were in 2004.
Belgian atmospheric metalcore newcomers Ice Sealed Eyes mark the beginning of a new chapter with Tape 1: Far Away, their first release since signing with Arising Empire. More than just a four-song EP, the record unfolds as a carefully crafted emotional narrative, with opening track Stay Still seamlessly flowing into To Realise and The Weight […]
Self-described as post-punk folk rock Shorefox brings their first album, I Wanna Build A Tank. Singer/Songwriter Scout Shorefox brings thirteen tracks of political angst and personal feelings that sound like the bastard child of Billy Bragg and the Violent Femmes.Check out the videos for the songs “Fair Trade” and “Lumberjack” below:
If you like what you hear, you can check out the rest of Shorefox’s record at their Bandcamp or go see them at the shows below if you’re in the area:
VENUES return with Becoming, an empowering modern metalcore anthem that transforms pain into strength, self-doubt into confidence and personal growth into pure sonic force. Following the emotional depth of Solace and the band’s critically acclaimed latest album Transience, the Stuttgart outfit deliver one of their boldest and most uplifting statements to date. Driven by punchy […]
End Of Abyss, a rising name in Finland’s progressive metal scene, will unveil their debut album in October. While the band may be new to international audiences, its line-up features familiar faces from the Finnish metal world — including vocalist Mikko Herranen, known for his work across multiple bands and as a producer, and bassist […]
Australia, get ready to have your faces completely melted because some spectacular savagery is heading down under this winter. Floridian metalcore titans Wage War are returning to our shores for their first-ever nationwide headline tour, and if you think they’re coming alone to play nice, you are dead wrong. They are bringing one of the […]
Belgian atmospheric metalcore newcomers Ice Sealed Eyes mark the beginning of a new chapter with Tape 1: Far Away, their first release since signing with Arising Empire. More than just a four-song EP, the record unfolds as a carefully crafted emotional narrative, with opening track Stay Still seamlessly flowing into To Realise and The Weight […]
VENUES return with Becoming, an empowering modern metalcore anthem that transforms pain into strength, self-doubt into confidence and personal growth into pure sonic force. Following the emotional depth of Solace and the band’s critically acclaimed latest album Transience, the Stuttgart outfit deliver one of their boldest and most uplifting statements to date. Driven by punchy […]