subject: Devildriver- When Metal Meets Dark Groove [print this page] You'd probably think of heavy metal first when you hear a DevilDriver album for the first time. Not everyone agrees though that the band is centered purely on traditional metal. The work that the band has produced occupies a wide scope that encompasses death metal and groove metal.
The mixed opinions about what the band really sounds like are perhaps signs of their difficult origins. Right up to before the group was formed, each of its members were variously occupied. Dez Fafara was still with Coal Chamber when he toyed with the idea of forming a new band. Jon Miller, Jeff Kendrick and John Boecklin who would soon also join forces with Fafara were already a band before Boecklin met Fafara. Fafara met the final member of the group, Evan Pitts on a separate occasion. They all became official band mates in 2002.
The band was first known as Deathride but this was not the best name choice because of originality issues. DevilDriver became a more appropriate choice especially because of the more evil sound to it. What the name actually refers to though is a set of Italian bells use to drive evil away. Aside from a new name, the group took on the cross of confusion as their symbol, one that stressed the need to question prevailing beliefs. The band name and logo are in reference to Fafara's tumultuous past, his upbringing and his Italian heritage.
Each DevilDriver CD is seemingly unique from the other. Critics think however that what is most likely strikingly different from everything the group has ever done is their self-titled release. This initial work has received considerable negative feedback. Some critics had the impression that the band wanted to enter the mainstream scene more than make music. After this release, Pitts made his exit and Mike Spreitzer took over.
Apparently though, the only thing difficult for the group was the start. Their second release The Fury of Our Maker's Hand which came out in 2005 was met more favorably. This was proven by the fact that the album settled on the 117th slot in the Billboard 200. The album, which was recorded in a nearly isolated location, is so good that some tend to forget that there was ever a first one before it. Like the first release, this second one touches on elements of Fafara's life.
In 2005, the band reunited to create and release The Last Kind Words. They promoted this in the Download Festival, playing in the same venue as the legendary Iron Maiden. Pray for Villains came in 2009 and hit 35 in the Billboard 200. As if to make sure the upward rise stays uninterrupted, the group mapped out more work for 2010. A fifth album is said to be on the way. There's no telling which direction the group will take on this piece of work. Fafara has hinted however, that this is yet again another album that will markedly stand out from what they have done in the past. The only way fans will truly know what this is all about is to wait for the chance to listen in.
It's hard to create a strict category for a DevilDriver album. It doesn't really matter much though. As long as they make relevant music, the fans will continue to listen.
