DEVILDRIVER – Strike And Kill

Between non-stop touring, releasing an album at least every two to three years, adapting through lineup changes, and facing health issues, DevilDriver’s eleventh studio album entitled Strike and Kill prove that this band is a force that has stood the test of times. This album delivers to any DevilDriver fan that yearns for the furious energy that was offered on their previous fan favorite albums such as The Last Kind Words, Beast, and Winter Kills.

This album features the studio debut of DevilDriver’s new members Gabe Mangold (Enterprise Earth, Dead Icarus) on guitar, also on guitar Alex Lee (Bonded by Blood, Holy Grail), returning bassist Jon Miller (who played on DevilDriver’s first five albums, and Davier Pérez on drums. Each new addition to DevilDriver stand out in their own fashion, notably on the neck breaking “Sanctified in Scars” which features a catchy chorus showing frontman Dez Farfara’s range, neck breaking double bass, and shredding guitar work by both Mangold and Lee. Songs such as the album’s title track, and “Headed for the Fall” offer notable riffs, but at the same time the drums and bass will make you want to jump up and down, while “Ride or Die” gets straight to the point and will rip your face right off. Frontman Dez Fafara does not shy away from boasting his range notably on the tracks “In the Moonlight”, “You’re Just a Ghost”, and “Summoning Shadows.” Those who enjoyed the song “Wishing” off of Dealing With Demons Vol. 1, as well as Pray For Villians, will see familiar territory with those three songs.

Having formed in 2002, started off by opening for big names such as Opeth, Superjoint Ritual, touring the second stage with Ozzfest, then going on to taking out bands such as Napalm Death, Suffocation, Death Angel, and graduating to the main stage at the last touring Ozzfest, DevilDriver is a band that has continued to evolve, stay to themselves, and power through anything that stands in their way.

After speaking with Dez Fafara about the album, it is understandable why he would recommend Strike and Kill to anyone that is just starting to get into DevilDriver. Not only does Strike and Kill deliver the same energy as some of DevilDriver’s earlier fan favorites but also is arguably their best record.

Album Tracklist

1. Dig Your Own Grave
2. Dead in the Water
3. Sanctified In Scars
4. Strike and Kill
5. In the Moonlight
6. Ride or Die
7. Headed for the Fall
8. Shut the Silence On
9. Never Coming Home
10. Summoning Shadows
11. You’re just a Ghost
12. Oath of Iron
13. All Bets are Off