DEVILDRIVER „Pray For Villains”

Genre: Groove/Thrash Metal
Country: USA
Band Website: www.devildriver.com
Duration: 72:10


Killer Songs: “Pray For Villains,” “Another Night In London,” “Damning The Heavens”

Four albums into their careers and there’s still no general consensus on Devildriver. Are they trendwhores? Keepers of the NWOAHM flame? Thrash-core pioneers? It will likely remain an open ended question so might as well not give a fuck and just dig their new album “Pray For Villains.” Building on its well-received predecessor “The Last Kind Words,” “Pray…” comes packed with savage songs and sophisticated touches of reinvention that flavor Devildriver’s groove oriented sound for optimum metalhead satisfaction. Both long time fans and curious ears are much welcome to the title track at the start, which harnesses power and aggression in a swirling cocktail of rumbling bass drums.

While frontman Dez Fafara peddles his trademark throaty howls throughout, it doesn’t diminish the band’s potency considering how it goes hand-in-hand with the ace musicianship on display here; ample proof that Devildriver are next to bulletproof in kicking sonic bunghole. Once cranked open, the album slows down on the rock oriented “Pure Sincerity,” a song whose initial radio friendly appeal is dropped near the end to let it inflict bruises. Tunes like “I’ve Been Sober,” “Resurrection Boulevard,” “Its In The Cards,” “Another Night In London,” and “Bitter Pill” introduce a new dimension to the band’s repertoire. These are hard hitting tracks that Devildriver have gone through pains to make memorable, even if they’re only remorseful party odes—“I’ve Been Sober”?

Pantera’s grooving swagger is ever present on “Pray For Villains” without getting too much in the way of Devildriver’s own magic that’s as reliant on pummeling melodies as flashy guitar play. While a couple of forgettable clunkers undermine the album’s potential—there’s “Fate Stepped In” and “ I See Belief”—enough classic tunes for a future “Best of…” compilation are to be found inside “Pray for Villains,” i.e. “Forgiveness Is A Six Gun” and “Another Night In London.” For reasons unknown three great songs arrive as mere bonus tracks. Including them in the official tracklist would’ve gone a long way in subduing the album’s less stellar moments. Riding high on this latest slab of American steel, Devildriver have by all intents and purposes reached their peak, only to butcher an Iron Maiden classic (“Wasted Years”) as a goodbye gesture. Go figure.

note: 8.5/10

Tracklist

1.Pray For Villains
2.Pure Sincerity
3.Fate Steeped In
4.Back With A Vengeance
5.I’ve Been Sober
6.Resurrection Boulevard
7.Forgiveness Is A Six Gun
8.Waiting for November
9.It’s In the Cards
10.Another Night In London
11.Bitter Pill
12.Teach Me To Whisper
13.I See Belief
(bonus tracks)
14.Self Affliction
15.Dust Be Thy Destiny
16.Damning the Heavens
17.Wasted Years (Iron Maiden cover)

Line-up

Dez Fafara-Vocals
Mike Spreitzer-Guitars
Jeff Kendrick-Guitars
Jon Miller-Bass
John Boecklin-Drums