DevilDriver tear their way through heavy metal again with Beast, the band's fifth album for Roadrunner Records, which is an exorcism of animalistic, primal hooks, death metal percussion and propulsive thrashing. While many bands in the modern era are already withering away by their second album , DevilDriver have proven to mutate, growing stronger, deadlier and more immortal with each successive release. Beast is living, firebreathing proof of that unassailable fact. Beast comes a mere two years after the band's incredibly successful Pray for Villains, which debuted at number 35 on the Billboard Top 200 (#60 in the UK). DevilDriver continue breaking the mould and busting heads in the studio and on stage. Who can forget their now legendary appearance at Download 2007, which arguably generated the biggest circle pit in history? Or any other live show they've played for that matter? Or any of the explosive anthems they've released to radio or video? Nevertheless, everything that has come before merely served as a prelude to the birth of Beast. "It's another level," vocalist Dez Fafara says of his band's latest offering, insisting that the band isn’t tethered to any style, genre or self-imposed limitations. Fafara goes on to say that “ We've taken a complete left turn by really trying to install groove and cadence. You hear weird, odd tempos, and we're taking little slices of the map out and putting in groove. For me, there's a lot of punk rock influence too. It's a crazy dichotomy of music." The musical prowess of the band members is becoming more evident beyond the metal world, as Spreitzer, Kendrick and Miller will all release signature ESP guitars sometime next year. Miller is also only the third bassist in the history of the company to have his own signature bass, which is a testament to his fortification of DevilDriver’s rhythmic backbone. Boecklin has also been prominently featured in all drum magazines, namely Modern Drummer and DRUM!, as his kit work continues to turn heads. DevilDriver conjure genuine chaos and make it beautifully brutal with the dichotomy that Fafara spoke of. For Fafara, the title sums up the band's mindset. "The record title Beast doesn't just explain the music. It really has to do with us and what we've become. The touring machine that we are is Beast. As friends, we're Beast." Producer Mark Lewis [All That Remains, Trivium] encouraged the band to continue to fighting harder. After an intense series of writing sessions in early 2010, DevilDriver recorded with Lewis at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, TX. "Working with Mark Lewis was a great help this time because he envisioned where we were all going with us. He wanted us to step out of the box, and together we did." Stepping out of the box lead to "Dead to Rights," which spills blood with every note, building an infectious refrain within the framework of pummeling polyrhythmic madness. "Talons Out (Teeth Sharpened)" is an anthemic war cry that drops from shrieking verses into double bass terror, while "Blur" spits punk grit into extreme metal posturing. This is one Beast that cannot and will not be contained. This Beast is alive and won't ever die. You have been warned… The special edition includes 3 additional audio tracks plus a bonus DVD with a 90-minute documentary covering the band’s entire history and 5 promo videos.
K**G
Beast
Every Devildriver album brings a little something new to the band's overall style and they aren't the sort of band you could ever accuse of making the same album over and over again.Devil Driver's fifth studio album `Beast,' is no exception, although you may be forgiven for fearing so had you read any of the pre-release press which seemed to threaten a very one dimensional and relentless album.Luckily, while `Beast,' is definitely hard and aggressive it is by no means a basic pounding assault devoid of variety. For example, moments in 'Blur,' wouldn't be out of place on The Great Southern Trendkill and `Black Soul Choir,' almost sounds like a radio single for the first couple of minutes and has a different feel to anything the band have done yet for the last few.Unlike some albums which seem to run out of steam half way through, 'Beast,' keeps getting better and better, unleashing its unique characteristics more and more as the album goes on, almost easing you into the changes. The opening few songs are what you'd expect the band to make at this stage and things diverge from the formula more and more towards the albums end.The guitar solos have a different feel to all of the band's previous albums, they seem to have moved to a more Judas Priest sound, which helps the album have a unique identity in their catalogue.The production is very clear which allows the music to stay heavy without becoming uncomfortable. The guitars aren't a mere wall of sound, you have good definition which is always a bonus.Standout moments include the aforementioned `Black Soul Choir,' the opener `Dead To Rights,' and the much thrashier `Crowns of Creation,' which has some furious drumming and a big hooky chorus juxtaposing the band at their most brutal and their most catchy in addition to containing the most progressive mid section the band have written to date.Overall, `Beast,' is an excellent addition to DevilDriver's cannon, finding the band doing something a bit different but retaining what defines their sound. The album is strong and will grow on you with repeat listens. Highly Recommended.The special edition digipak comes with two studio bonus tracks and one live rendition of `Grinf**cked.' More importantly however is the bonus DVD which features 5 music videos and a 1hr 30min documentary.The documentary covers the band's history from formation until touring Pray For Villians and features guest appearances from members of Lamb of God, Opeth and God Forbid. I was incredibly pleased with it, it felt like a 'proper,' DVD like Walk With Me In Hell or The Dehumanizing Process, as opposed to the slightly shallow bonus DVD that came with Pray For Villains.
B**N
beastly
great new album, in my opinion the heaviest and most aggressive work they have produced so far, 'dead to rights' is a really great track, a real stomper! the bonus dvd is a welcome edition and completes the package, definetly a 5/5, get this album \m/
G**D
Chugfest
I was practically sat under the letter box waiting for this album to drop through. Largely due to the frenzy I had built up, i felt a little disappointed when I listened for the first time. Where are the soaring twiddly guitars and what happened to the clean sound?The previous album, "Pray for Villains" was an awesome album and will be with me if I'm ever stranded on the cliched desert island along with Maiden's "Seventh Son" and Blaze Bailey's "Promise and Terror" (if you haven't heard it - buy it!)Beast is one of those I've listened to over and over again and enjoyed. It's growing on me and is a top notch metal album with lots of chug and aggression but I still think Villains has yet to be surpassed. I'm a sucker for excessive use of lead guitar in the forefront.
B**R
Awesome
Absolutely amazing new album, whose first track also first single Dead To Rights hits you like a steam train and drags you along for a ride through out the rest of the album.Also the bonus DVD is amazing
D**Y
A Beast of a record!
A Beast of a record, from a beast of a band! They certainly do keep getting better! with absolute killer tracks 'Talons Out (Teeth sharpened)'; 'Coldblooded'.DevilDriver = pure metal fury 'You Make Me Sick'!
L**9
Good Devil Driver
I remember when this first came out lots of devil driver fans weren't sure and neither was I. But Ive recently bought it and I think its great album. Don't know what all the fuss was about!
K**N
AWESOME!
Devildriver never cease to bring it brutal. Keeping to their roots like a metal band should!This album is killer from start to finish, if your a DD fan, this album is a MUST
D**N
Devildriver are a bit one dimentional.
Devil Driver - Beast was a bit disappointing. Found it sounded a bit samey. Not enough variety in there songs to be appealling to me.
N**Z
🤘😈🤘
The dvd alone is worth the money
S**N
Devildriver
Great metal from Dez and crew. Hard hitting in your face kind of music...
M**2
デスメタル
元コールチェンバーのデズ率いるdevildriver。前々から気になっていたバンドです。このたび初めて聞きました。ジャンルとしてはデスメタルです。あえて同類のバンドを挙げるならsoulflyですが、もう少し疾走感があります。ヴォーカルとドラムが印象に残りました。DVDは[YOU MAY KNOW US FROM THE STAGE]と題されたdevildriverの歴史(?)とメンバーのインタビュー、ライブ映像など、そのほかに5曲のPV(1,NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST 2,CLOUD OVER CALIFONIA 3,PLAY FOR VILLAINS 4,FATE STEPPED IN 5,ANOTHER NIGHT IN LONDON)が収録されています。字幕なしの英語なので、何を言っているか自分は分かりませんでした。カッコよくて気に入りました。他のCDも聞いてみようと思いました。
C**S
Bestial Recording ¡¡¡
Since the conception of Devildriver, the band has been improving his sound. "No Pray for Villains" was a killer recording but now we have a new winner in brutal, fast playing songs: "Beast" is their masterpiece and the bounus DVD mades a good option for the newcomers in Devildriver`s world.
L**.
Four Stars
great
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