New Zealand rockers Devilskin established themselves as a household name after their explosive debut with We Rise in 2014. The album soared to the top of the charts, holding the #1 spot on two different Kiwi charts for 3 weeks, achieving Gold sales in just 2 weeks since the date of release and certified Platinum in February 2015, with a stunning 15,000 albums in sales, a tough achievement in this modern age of music.
Formed in 2010, the four-piece band is bonded by more than just the love of creating amazing music, Paul (Bass) and Nic (Drums) are father and son, Jennie (Vocals) is Nic’s Aunt and Paul’s sister-in-law Nail (Guitar) is Paul’s evil twin. [columns] [column size=”1/3″]
Album Title: Be Like The River
Release Date: 11 November 2016
Label: Devilskin Ltd
On November 11, 2016, the band released their second studio album Be Like The River, produced and mixed by Clint Murphy. With the release of the new album the band decided to tour to promote the album. The rigorous touring schedule included dates with American hard rock band Disturbed on the 18th of November, followed by a full tour of New Zealand and 17 dates nationwide. Grammy Award Winners, Halestorm, will be supporting Devilskin on 7 dates in New Zealand before the band heads to Australia for 3 additional dates in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, then it’s back to Europe in February 2017.
It is because of the band’s dedication and work ethic, they have developed a devoted following of fans as well as unprecedented support of radio play, live shows and album sales. While other bands have been cutting expenses with the reduction of production of their live shows, Devilskin has invested everything they have into the stage, sound and lighting to give their fans and newcomers to the band a spectacular show, that’s why we go to shows right? To be entertained, cue the Gladiator quotes.
The band has shared the stage with a wide array of heavy hitting icons of the hard rock genre during their US and European tours, Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, Slash, Megadeath, Korn, and Coheed and Cambria, just to name a few.
Devilskin’s Be Like The River is probably the best album I have heard in 2016. It was refreshing to finally hear the things I really enjoy about female-fronted metal acts, soft soulful singing, hard hitting grows and screams, heavy riffs and drums, and the most important thing to me GUITAR SOLOS. Is that a dying art in music now?
From the opening of “In Black,” the 13-track album had my full attention, containing the elements that I love about Symphonic Death Metal, Heavy Metal, and Rock, fused together to punch you in the brain cells through your ears.
Jennie’s vocals are the highlight of the album, to me she has one of those voices that I compare to that of Corey Taylor; it can be soft and soothing, but at the flip of switch she can unleash a growl that will send chills up your spine.
Each song has a life of its own separated by personality and texture, giving a good balance of light and dark, softer tones and hard hits. The entire album was amazing, but if I had to pick out the highlights of this album, they would be “In Black,” “Pray,” “Voices,” “Bury Me,” “Grave,” “Limbs,” and “We Rise.”
Be Like The River is an outstanding follow up sophomore album by Devilskin, and I would highly recommend giving it a listen, the album is available for download and streaming through Google Play, iTunes and Spotify.
