DEVILDRIVER - The Last Kind Words

The third Devildriver album seems to be their most complete product thus far. Typically American metalcore combined with melodic elements in the vein of Gothenburs on the one hand and extreme parts on the other hand are doubtlessly not a new combination, but for Dez Fafara and his crew, it is one of the best I have heard lately. Just listen to Monsters Of The Deep or Horn Of Betrayal and I hope you’ll be convinced. The Last Kind words offers solid and varied songwriting, with many unexpected riffs, some are intricate but catchy at the same time, and all are very well played. Dez’s voice has gotten more flexible since he was in Coal Chamber, easily going from low growls to the high-pitched screaming that is so used lately in this genre, but keeping the needed intensity for each song (for an example of voice control see The Axe Shall Fall). No doubt, Devildriver has made great progress, not only in execution but also in songwriting, managing to combine a wealth of elements in a style that, while not exclusively theirs, fits them like a glove. If we leave out 2-3 filler tracks, the album is remarkably solid.
(+): riffs, songwriting, production, vocals
(-): a few totally uninteresting tracks, some repetition

Cynyc Nota: 8.5