The Devil-The Devil

Candlelight Records
2012


When you name your band/project "The Devil" then right off the bat one has to assume a dark and sinister edge is in order. That most certainly does seem to be the case with this album. At least in a way it is and, bizarrely, not the way one might expect. Following in the footsteps of pair on singles this 13-track album (The Devil's full-length debut-release) was recorded at six different recording studios. Is there a significance in that exact number-6? Are we to read more into it then is there? The answer it seems is not so easy to come by. The band, as it is, is made up of six members and their roots (at least judging by this album) lie in traditional/classic heavy meta. In keeping with the overall theme of their name and album cover the group that the same path that was laid out by Ghost. The six "anonymous masked and cloaked musicians" present their music with "select historical, political and conspiracy-laden oracles" in order to create "a cinematic sound-scape that is sure to strike the fancy of the curious." You can take that however you want it, but it is true that the end product is dark and sinister in it's own way. Listening to The Devil is like listening to the soundtrack of some sick documentary on death and damnation. It's little wonder then that The Devil has been looked upon fondly as choice material for movie soundtracks. Two of the band's "songs" are slated to appear in the realm of cinema so there should be little doubt left as to the direction this band is heading. The promo let's us know that the excellent number “Extinction Level Event” is being licensed to the upcoming film E.S.P. (expected late 2012) and that the other worthy number, "Divinorum", is "due for inclusion in the upcoming film The Fury. The Fury is being directed by James Colmer (Superman Returns, House of Wax, See No Evil) will feature Erica Leerhsen (The Blair Witch Project, Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and is expected early 2013." What makes The Devil work really, in not only that setting but as a casual listening experience, is the way in which the band easily merges the "select historical, political and conspiracy-laden oracles" with classic heavy metal. The connection is smooth even if the end result is music that attempts to send shivers down your spine with it's a dark and eerie nature. This is certainly an interesting "heavy metal" release and one that fans of dark metal would do well to track down