DevilDriver is an American
heavy metal band from
Santa Barbara,
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
, formed in 2002, consisting of vocalist
Dez Fafara
Bradley James "Dez" Fafara (born May 12, 1966) is an American heavy metal vocalist who performs in the bands DevilDriver and Coal Chamber.
Early life
Fafara is of Portuguese and Sicilian descent. His father, Tiger Fafara, and his late uncle, ...
, lead guitarist Mike Spreitzer, drummer Davier Pérez, bassist Jon Miller and rhythm guitarist Alex Lee. The band was originally named Deathride, however, due to copyright issues and the name being taken by several bands, the band changed its name to DevilDriver.
Biography
Deathride era, self-titled debut (2002–2004)
Fafara hosted several barbecues after moving from
Orange County
Orange County most commonly refers to:
*Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Orange County may also refer to:
U.S. counties
*Orange County, Florida, containing Orlando
*Orange County, Indiana
*Orange County, New ...
to Santa Barbara and would
jam
Jam is a type of fruit preserve.
Jam or Jammed may also refer to:
Other common meanings
* A firearm malfunction
* Block signals
** Radio jamming
** Radar jamming and deception
** Mobile phone jammer
** Echolocation jamming
Arts and ente ...
with musicians he met, which led to the formation of the band.
"I met Evan we struck up a friendship and started jamming," said Fafara.
Guitarist
Evan Pitts
DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002, consisting of vocalist Dez Fafara, lead guitarist Mike Spreitzer, drummer Davier Pérez, bassist Jon Miller and rhythm guitarist Alex Lee. The band was ...
met Fafara in a restaurant and gave him his phone number for a jam session, while John Boecklin who originally played 2nd guitar then went to playing drums, met Fafara at a bar.
The band was originally known as Deathride, but later changed their name to DevilDriver because Fafara felt there were too many bands with that name; a band in Norfolk, Virginia, and a bicycle racing team.
Another problem was that the band's label,
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label focused on heavy metal and hard rock bands. Founded in the Netherlands in 1980, it is now a division of Warner Music Group and is based in New York City.
History
The label was launched in 1980 in t ...
were unable to secure copyright.
The members compiled a list of roughly two hundred names to go for a more original approach. Fafara's wife had a book by Italian witchcraft author
Raven Grimassi
Gary Charles Erbe (April 12, 1951 – March 10, 2019), known as Raven Grimassi, was an American author of over 20 books, including topics on Wicca, Stregheria, witchcraft and neo-paganism. He popularized Stregheria, the religious practice of witch ...
on
Stregheria
Stregheria () is the root form of witchcraft originating in Southern Europe, but also includes Italian American witchcraft. Stregheria is sometimes referred to as ''La Vecchia Religione'' (" the Old Religion"). The word '' stregheria'' is an archa ...
, and came across the term "devil driver". The term "devil driver" refers to bells Italian witches used to drive evil forces away. Fafara thought it was appropriate because it sounded "evil", and thought the term "suits his life".
The band's logo is the Cross of Confusion, which has existed for thousands of years and refers to "question religion, question authority, question everything around you". Fafara was brought up to "question everything" and was exposed to Italian witchcraft through his grandparents.
DevilDriver's debut record was originally going to be called ''Thirteen'',
and then ''Straight to Hell''. However, Fafara claims it was changed "for so many reasons that I can't even go into."
The band's self-titled debut ''
DevilDriver
DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002, consisting of vocalist Dez Fafara, lead guitarist Mike Spreitzer, drummer Davier Pérez, bassist Jon Miller and rhythm guitarist Alex Lee. The band was ...
'', was released on October 28, 2003 under
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label focused on heavy metal and hard rock bands. Founded in the Netherlands in 1980, it is now a division of Warner Music Group and is based in New York City.
History
The label was launched in 1980 in t ...
, and entered the
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers are "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine. The Heatseekers Albums and the Heatseekers Songs charts were introduced by ''Billboard'' in 1991 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new an ...
chart at number 17.
Guitarist Pitts wrote roughly 90% of the music, according to
Mike Spreitzer
Michael Colin Spreitzer (born February 10, 1981) is an American musician, producer, mixing engineer, and the lead guitarist of heavy metal band DevilDriver. He is the second-longest lasting member following the departures of all original members ...
, who replaced Pitts after his departure from the band.
''The Fury of Our Maker's Hand'' (2005–2006)
The band returned to the studio in 2005 to record their follow-up to ''DevilDriver''. The album was produced at Sonic Ranch Studios, a
pecan
The pecan (''Carya illinoinensis'') is a species of hickory native to the southern United States and northern Mexico in the region of the Mississippi River. The tree is cultivated for its seed in the southern United States, primarily in Georgia, ...
ranch, away from
El Paso, Texas
El Paso (; "the pass") is a city in and the county seat, seat of El Paso County, Texas, El Paso County in the western corner of the U.S. state of Texas. The 2020 population of the city from the United States Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau w ...
. The band members wanted to be isolated when recording the album so they could solely focus on the music as friends, family, managers and girlfriends would constantly interrupt. Roughly 30 songs were written which were narrowed down to 15 by the band. The 15 songs were then played for producer
Colin Richardson
Colin Richardson is a British record producer, mixer and recording engineer. He has worked on over 100 albums and is most frequently associated with heavy metal and its subgenres.
Career
Some of the bands he has worked for include:
* 3 In ...
who wanted to begin
tracking
Tracking may refer to:
Science and technology Computing
* Tracking, in computer graphics, in match moving (insertion of graphics into footage)
* Tracking, composing music with music tracker software
* Eye tracking, measuring the position of t ...
immediately.
The name of the album was thought of by Fafara who believed that ''
The Fury of Our Maker's Hand
''The Fury of Our Maker's Hand'' is the second studio album by American heavy metal band DevilDriver, released on June 28, 2005. It's the first DevilDriver album to feature guitarist Mike Spreitzer. The album entered the Billboard charts at n ...
'' refers to the "storm" his life has been the past 10 years, "You have your maker's hand and I have my maker's hand and we both living in our fury, the fury of our maker's hand. It explains my life".
The album was released on June 28, 2005 and debuted on the
''Billboard'' 200 chart at number 117, with sales of 10,402 in its first week.
The album also debuted at number 1 on the
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers are "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine. The Heatseekers Albums and the Heatseekers Songs charts were introduced by ''Billboard'' in 1991 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new an ...
chart.
Johnny Loftus of
Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
described the album as "a severe turn away from the falter of their first album" and said that the band made their "true debut the second time around".
Dom Lawson of ''
Kerrang!
''Kerrang!'' is a British weekly magazine devoted to rock, punk and heavy metal music, currently published by Wasted Talent (the same company that owns electronic music publication ''Mixmag''). It was first published on 6 June 1981 as a one- ...
'' gave the album a positive review describing the album as a "fresh and exhilarating approach to modern metal".
The band toured extensively in support of the album, which included shows in the United States, Europe, and Australia in support of bands such as
In Flames
In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band, formed by guitarist Jesper Strömblad in Gothenburg in 1990. Alongside At the Gates and Dark Tranquillity, In Flames pioneered the genres known as Swedish death metal and melodic death metal.
During t ...
,
Fear Factory
Fear Factory is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1989. Throughout the band's career, they have released ten full-length albums and have evolved through a succession of sounds, all in their main style of industrial metal. ...
, and
Machine Head
A machine head (also referred to as a tuning machine, tuner, or gear head) is a geared apparatus for tuning stringed musical instruments by adjusting string tension. Machine heads are used on mandolins, guitars, double basses and others, and ar ...
. The band played for the first time as a headliner in the Burning Daylight Tour. On October 31, 2006, ''The Fury of Our Maker's Hand'' was re-released to include three new studio tracks, including "Digging up the Corpses" which was featured on the soundtrack to ''
Resident Evil: Apocalypse''. The release also contained three live recordings of previously released, a DVD of all of the band's music videos, new cover art, and inside liner notes.
''The Last Kind Words'' (2007–2008)
The band reunited at Sonic Ranch Studios while they recorded their third studio effort, ''
The Last Kind Words
''The Last Kind Words'' is the third studio album by American heavy metal band DevilDriver, released in the United States on July 31, 2007. It was released in the United Kingdom on June 19.
The album debuted at number 48 on the U.S. ''Billbo ...
'', which was released in June 2007. The album's first single "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" was directed by
Nathan Cox
Nathan "Karma" Cox is a music video director.
Filmography
2017
*"Poontang Boomerang" - Steel Panther
*"Be With Me" - Old Dominion
2016
*" Stick to Your Guns" - Sick Puppies
*"Destroy Something Beautiful" - Media Solution
2015
*"Tonight We Ri ...
for free. Cox's career began when he created Coal Chamber's music video "
Loco
Loco or El Loco may refer to:
Places United States
* Loco, Georgia, an unincorporated community
* Loco, Oklahoma, a village
* Loco, Texas, an unincorporated community
* Loco Mountain (Labinero, Montana), a mountain peak of the Crazy Mountains ...
", so he re-paid a favor to Fafara and the band. Cox now directs music videos for bands such as
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. The band's current lineup comprises vocalist/rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Mike Shinoda, lead guitarist Brad Delson, bassist Dave Farrell, DJ/turntablist Joe Hahn and drummer ...
and
Korn
Korn (stylized as KoЯn, or occasionally KoRn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band is notable for pioneering the nu metal genre and bringing it into the mainstream.
Originally formed in 1993 ...
.
The first song to be previewed was "Horn of Betrayal" which debuted on Sirius Satellite's Hard Attack channel on May 16, 2007. ''The Last Kind Words'' entered the German charts at number 92,
and peaked at number 48 on the
''Billboard'' 200, with over 14,000 copies sold.
DevilDriver promoted the album at the 2007
Download Festival
Download Festival is a British-created rock festival created by Terrance Gough, held annually at the Donington Park motorsport circuit in Leicestershire, England (since 2003); in Paris, France (since 2016); at Parramatta Park, Sydney (since 201 ...
at
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit located near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England. The circuit business is now owned by Jonathan Palmer's MotorSport Vision organisation, and the surrounding Donington Park Estate, still owned b ...
alongside headliners Linkin Park,
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. While fluid in the early years of the band, the lineup for most of the band's history has consisted of Harri ...
, and
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance (commonly abbreviated to MCR or My Chem) is an American rock band from Newark, New Jersey. The band's current lineup consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, lead guitarist Ray Toro, rhythm guitarist Frank Iero, and bassist Mi ...
. A
Guinness world record
''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a reference book published annually, listing world ...
was attempted by the band for the "largest circle pit" at the festival. Guinness responded to the query and denied the request stating they receive over 60,000 requests a year and there is no way to physically define where a circle pit starts and ends. They considered the proposal fully in the context of the subject area and stated that "our decision is final in this matter".
The band also appeared at 2007's
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual music festival tour of the United States and sometimes Europe and later Japan, featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Sharon Osbourne and her husband Ozzy Osbourne, both ...
. Fafara had been planning to take his first six weeks off in 11 years, but
Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Rachel Osbourne (née Levy, later Arden; born 9 October 1952) is a British-American television personality, music manager and author. She is married to heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne and came to prominence while appearing ...
, who had managed Fafara's previous band
Coal Chamber
Coal Chamber is an American nu metal band formed by Dez Fafara and Meegs Rascón in Los Angeles, California in 1993. Prior to Coal Chamber, the two had also created the band She's in Pain, in 1992. The original lineup also consisted of bassist ...
, persuaded him to appear.
At a concert in Detroit, Michigan, a recording was made with the intention of releasing a live DVD in 2008 although this has yet to be released.
DevilDriver's songs "Devil's Son" and "Driving Down the Darkness" were featured in the TV show ''
Scrubs'',
and in 2008 they covered the
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. While fluid in the early years of the band, the lineup for most of the band's history has consisted of Harri ...
song "
Wasted Years
"Wasted Years" is a song by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It is the band's fourteenth single released and the first from their sixth studio album, '' Somewhere in Time'' (1986). It is the only song on the album that features no synthe ...
" for the ''
Kerrang!
''Kerrang!'' is a British weekly magazine devoted to rock, punk and heavy metal music, currently published by Wasted Talent (the same company that owns electronic music publication ''Mixmag''). It was first published on 6 June 1981 as a one- ...
'' compilation ''
Maiden Heaven: A Tribute to Iron Maiden''. The song "Clouds Over California" became available as a download for the music video game ''
Rock Band
A rock band or pop band is a small musical ensemble that performs rock music, pop music, or a related genre. A four-piece band is the most common configuration in rock and pop music. In the early years, the configuration was typically two guita ...
''.
''Pray for Villains'' (2009–2010)
Their fourth album ''
Pray for Villains
''Pray for Villains'' is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band DevilDriver, released on July 14, 2009. It sold around 14,600 copies in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.
On Apr ...
'' was released on July 14, 2009, debuting at No. 35 on the
''Billboard'' 200, with estimated sales of around 14,600, improving on their previous effort, which debuted at No. 48.
On February 21, 2009, the band performed in Australia at the Soundwave Festival with bands such as Lamb of God and In Flames. After finishing their Melbourne show, they announced that their new album would be released August 11, 2009. The band also toured in the Midwest states in mid-May 2009 with bands such as
Slipknot,
3 Inches of Blood and
All That Remains before headlining the 'Thrash and Burn' Tour with
Emmure
Emmure () is an American metalcore band formed in 2003. Originally based in New Fairfield, Connecticut, before moving to Queens, New York, the group has released eight albums, with their first public release being a 2006 EP entitled '' The Comp ...
,
Despised Icon
Despised Icon is a Canadian deathcore band from Montreal, Quebec. Formed in 2002, the band is noted for the talent of its drummer, Alex Pelletier, who makes frequent use of the blasting technique, as well as for its dual lead vocalists; Alex E ...
,
MyChildren MyBride,
Oceano
Oceano (Spanish: ''Océano'', meaning "Ocean") is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. The population was 7,286 at the 2010 census, up from 7,260 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Oceano is located a ...
,
Kittie, and
Thy Will Be Done
Thy Will Be Done is an American heavy metal band formed in 2005 from Providence, Rhode Island. The ensemble has released the studio albums ''Was and Is to Come'' and ''In Ancient of Days'' via Stillborn Records, as well as the EP ''Temple'' v ...
amongst others. They also completed a European Tour with several other bands such as
Behemoth and
Suicide Silence
Suicide Silence is an American deathcore band from Riverside, California. The band was established in 2002, and has released six studio albums, three EPs, and nineteen music videos. They were awarded the ''Revolver'' Golden God award for "Best ...
.
In January and February 2010, DevilDriver embarked on their headlining 'Bound By The Road' Tour with
Suffocation,
Goatwhore
Goatwhore is an American extreme metal band formed in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1997.
Biography
Goatwhore was formed by guitarist/backing vocalist Sammy Duet, who was previously the lead guitarist for Louisiana sludge metal band Acid Bath. Th ...
, and
Thy Will Be Done
Thy Will Be Done is an American heavy metal band formed in 2005 from Providence, Rhode Island. The ensemble has released the studio albums ''Was and Is to Come'' and ''In Ancient of Days'' via Stillborn Records, as well as the EP ''Temple'' v ...
.
In March 2010, DevilDriver participated in 2010's Getaway Rock festival, which was held in
Gävle, Sweden and began on July 8 and ended on the 10th. The band will also be included in an extensive UK tour in November 2010 with
36 Crazyfists.
''Beast'' (2011)
DevilDriver's fifth album ''
Beast'' was recorded at Sonic Ranch studios in Tornillo, Texas with producer
Mark Lewis, and released February 22, 2011. John Boecklin confirmed that the new album was mixed by
Andy Sneap
Andy Sneap (born 18 July 1969) is an English guitarist, record producer and composer with over 100 albums to his name, most of which have been produced at his Backstage Recording studios in rural Derbyshire. Some of the most critically acclaime ...
at his Backstage studio in Derbyshire, England in July. DevilDriver went on a tour in Australia with bands such as
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. While fluid in the early years of the band, the lineup for most of the band's history has consisted of Harri ...
,
Slayer
Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California. The band was formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style ...
,
All That Remains and
Nonpoint
Nonpoint is an American rock band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The band currently consists of vocalist Elias Soriano, drummer Robb Rivera, lead guitarist Jaysin Zeilstra, rhythm guitarist Rasheed Thomas, and bassist Adam Woloszyn.
History
...
for the
Soundwave Festival in February and March 2011.
On March 30, it was announced that Miller and DevilDriver would part ways permanently, in the interest of Miller's continuing recovery. Miller departed on his own and released a resignation letter to the press.
DevilDriver opened for
Danzig along with
2Cents in 2011 supporting Danzig's 2010 release ''
Deth Red Sabaoth
''Deth Red Sabaoth'' is the ninth studio album by American heavy metal band Danzig, released on June 22, 2010, through Evilive/The End Records. ''Deth Red Sabaoth'' marked Danzig's highest-charting album since the release of '' Danzig 4'' in 1 ...
'', and toured North America with
Chthonic
The word chthonic (), or chthonian, is derived from the Ancient Greek word ''χθών, "khthon"'', meaning earth or soil. It translates more directly from χθόνιος or "in, under, or beneath the earth" which can be differentiated from Γῆ ...
and
Skeletonwitch
Skeletonwitch is an American metal band from Athens, Ohio, formed in 2003. The band currently consists of lead guitarist Nate Garnette, rhythm guitarist Scott Hedrick, bassist Evan Linger, and vocalist Adam Clemans. Original vocalist Chance Gar ...
supporting
Arch Enemy
Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band, originally a supergroup from Halmstad, formed in 1995. Its members were in bands such as Carcass, Armageddon, Carnage, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars, The Agonist, Nevermore, and Eucharist. ...
.
''Winter Kills'', lineup changes and hiatus (2012–2014)
![14-04-19 DevilDriver Mike Spreitzer 05](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/14-04-19_DevilDriver_Mike_Spreitzer_05.jpg)
DevilDriver headlined the 2012 Metal Alliance Festival Tour in the spring.
On February 9, 2012, guitarist Jeff Kendrick announced via his
Twitter
Twitter is an online social media and social networking service owned and operated by American company Twitter, Inc., on which users post and interact with 280-character-long messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and ...
account that himself, John Boecklin (drums) and Mike Spreitzer (guitars) had "begun to compose and demo songs for DevilDriver's 6th album. We are extremely excited!!!".
In March 2012, during an interview with Nick Azinas from Peek from the Pit, vocalist
Dez Fafara
Bradley James "Dez" Fafara (born May 12, 1966) is an American heavy metal vocalist who performs in the bands DevilDriver and Coal Chamber.
Early life
Fafara is of Portuguese and Sicilian descent. His father, Tiger Fafara, and his late uncle, ...
announced that the band was looking for a new record label. This announcement officially ended the ten-year relationship between
Devildriver
DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002, consisting of vocalist Dez Fafara, lead guitarist Mike Spreitzer, drummer Davier Pérez, bassist Jon Miller and rhythm guitarist Alex Lee. The band was ...
and
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label focused on heavy metal and hard rock bands. Founded in the Netherlands in 1980, it is now a division of Warner Music Group and is based in New York City.
History
The label was launched in 1980 in t ...
.
On July 8 it was announced that DevilDriver has signed with Napalm Records for the upcoming sixth album. On February 18, 2013 Dez announced on his Twitter account that Chris Towning who has been filling in on bass for the past year has been made the band's official bassist. In a March 2013 interview with Get Your Rock Out guitarist Jeff Kendrick announced that an album title was "very close", adding that the record was currently being mixed with only a couple of pieces of vocal recording to be done before the album is mastered. On 28 May 2013, DevilDriver released the cover artwork and release date for the new album, ''
Winter Kills
''Winter Kills'' is a black comedy novel by Richard Condon, exploring the assassination of a U.S. president. It was published in 1974. The novel parallels the death of John F. Kennedy and the conspiracy theories about it.
Plot summary
The nov ...
''. The album was released on 27 August 2013 by Napalm Records, their first album release since leaving Roadrunner.
On October 28, 2014, Dez Fafara announced that drummer John Boecklin and guitarist Jeff Kendrick left the band, the former going on to form the band,
Bad Wolves
Bad Wolves is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in 2017. Initially finding fame from their first single, a cover of the Cranberries' 1994 hit "Zombie (The Cranberries song)#Bad Wolves cover, Zombie", the band proceeded to fi ...
. He also announced that the band will be on hiatus until 2016, when the new album will be released, to focus on his reunion with
Coal Chamber
Coal Chamber is an American nu metal band formed by Dez Fafara and Meegs Rascón in Los Angeles, California in 1993. Prior to Coal Chamber, the two had also created the band She's in Pain, in 1992. The original lineup also consisted of bassist ...
.
''Trust No One'' (2015–2016)
On January 7, 2015, it was announced that past member
Chimaira
Chimaira () is an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in August 1998, the group was a member of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal scene. The band's name is derived from the word Chimera, a monstrous creature in Greek my ...
drummer Austin D'Amond had joined the band as the new drummer. On March 19, 2015, Neal Tiemann was announced as the replacement for Jeff Kendrick on guitars. Tiemann started his career with Midwest Kings and has spent time playing with
Caroline’s Spine, Burn Halo and Uncle Kracker among others.
On May 2, 2015, Dez Fafara said that there were 12 new songs written for the next DevilDriver album. They were anticipating recording them in October–November 2015 and Spring-Summer 2016 for a release date later in 2016. Dez Fafara continued that DevilDriver had to get back into their normal recording cycle; he did not want DevilDriver sitting around too long although they did need to take a break after releasing ''Winter Kills''.
On November 19, 2015, DevilDriver revealed the title for the upcoming album, ''
Trust No One'', alongside the album art. The album is set to be released on May 13, 2016. In March, DevilDriver announced that former
Static-X guitarist, Diego "Ashes" Ibarra, would replace the recently departed Chris Towning on bass on a permanent basis for upcoming shows in the US, European and UK dates in support of the new album.
On March 18, 2016, DevilDriver released their first single from upcoming album, ''Trust No One'', titled 'Daybreak', through their official
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
channel.
''Outlaws 'til the End'' (2017)
On February 28, 2017, DevilDriver announced via their
Instagram
Instagram is a photo and video sharing social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. The app allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters and organized by hashtags and geographical tagging. Posts can ...
account that they are to release an outlaw country covers record, with 13 tracks currently in production, with over 15 "high caliber" guests contributing. On July 15, Fafara announced that the number of guests had risen to 20-25, and that these included artists such as
Lamb of God
Lamb of God ( el, Ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, Amnòs toû Theoû; la, Agnus Dei, ) is a title for Jesus that appears in the Gospel of John. It appears at John 1:29, where John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, "Behold the Lamb of God wh ...
's
Randy Blythe
Randy is a given name, popular in the United States and Canada. It is primarily a masculine name. It was originally derived from the names Randall, Randolf, Randolph, as well as Bertrand and Andrew, and may be a short form (hypocorism) of them ...
and
Mark Morton,
Lee Ving
Lee James Jude Capallero (born April 10, 1950), also known as Lee Ving, is an American guitarist, singer and actor.
Ving is the frontman of the Los Angeles-based hardcore punk band Fear. As an actor, Ving played topless club owner Johnny C. ...
from
FEAR
Fear is an intensely unpleasant emotion in response to perceiving or recognizing a danger or threat. Fear causes physiological changes that may produce behavioral reactions such as mounting an aggressive response or fleeing the threat. Fear ...
,
Glenn Danzig,
Testament's
Chuck Billy
Charles Billy (born June 23, 1962) is an American singer who is best known as the lead vocalist for thrash metal band Testament.
Career
Testament
Billy joined Legacy in 1986, replacing vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza who would later join Exod ...
, and
John 5
John 5 is the fifth chapter of the Gospel of John of the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It relates Jesus' healing and teaching in Jerusalem, and begins to evidence the hostility shown him by the Jewish authorities.Plummer, A. (1902)Cambri ...
. In the same interview, Fafara revealed that some of the artists that would be covered on the album are
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (197 ...
,
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...
,
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He pioneered the Outlaw Movement in country music.
Jennings started playing guitar at the age of eight and performed at age f ...
, and
Johnny Paycheck
Johnny Paycheck (born Donald Eugene Lytle; May 31, 1938 – February 19, 2003) was an American country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member notable for recording the David Allan Coe song "Take This Job and Shove It". He achieved his greates ...
, with
Steve Evetts as album producer.
''Dealing with Demons'' (2018–present)
On 9 April 2018, it was reported that DevilDriver had 48 songs written for a new concept double album, with Fafara stating "this will be the record of our career". The band are planning on narrowing down the songs to "20 or 22" and enter the studio in June 2018. In January 2019, Fafara posted on Instagram that he had begun tracking vocals for the new albums and that a summer 2019 release should be expected. In July 2019, Fafara announced that the first part of the double album should be expected in early 2020 with the second part in 2021. He also stated that a second volume of Outlaw Country covers in 2023 before a final studio album in 2024/2025. He went on to say that he would then take a prolonged break from music for 4/5 years. In later 2019, DevilDriver canceled a run of shows in support of
Static-X and an appearance on the inaugural MegaCruise (a festival on a cruise ship organised by
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal along wit ...
), this was due to Fafara's wife being diagnosed, treated and subsequently cured for skin cancer. On 21 May 2020, the first part of a double album was announced, ''Dealing with Demons - Part 1'', scheduled for release 9 October 2020. The first single, "Keep Away from Me", was released on the same day as the announcement. On October 2021, DevilDriver parted ways with guitarist Neal Tiemann.
On July 16, 2022, it was announced bassist Diego Ibarra had departed the band. Three days later, the band announced the return of bassist Jon Miller, and the arrival of guitarist Alex Lee (formerly of
Holy Grail
The Holy Grail (french: Saint Graal, br, Graal Santel, cy, Greal Sanctaidd, kw, Gral) is a treasure that serves as an important motif in Arthurian literature. Various traditions describe the Holy Grail as a cup, dish, or stone with miracul ...
).
Musical style and influences
DevilDriver's music has been widely described an amalgamation of
groove metal
Groove metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that began in the early 1990s. The genre achieved success in the 1990s and continued having success in the 2000s. Inspired by thrash metal and traditional heavy metal, groove metal features raspy ...
and
melodic death metal
Melodic death metal (also referred to as melodeath) is a subgenre of death metal that employs highly melodic guitar riffs, often borrowing from traditional heavy metal (including New Wave of British Heavy Metal). The genre features the heavine ...
.
All of the members have stated they are influenced by several types of music. Miller's influences include
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band. The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instrume ...
,
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal/rock band from Stockholm, formed in 1990 by lead vocalist David Isberg. The group has been through several personnel changes, including the replacement of every original member; notably Isberg in 1992. Mikael ...
,
Slayer
Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California. The band was formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style ...
and
In Flames
In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band, formed by guitarist Jesper Strömblad in Gothenburg in 1990. Alongside At the Gates and Dark Tranquillity, In Flames pioneered the genres known as Swedish death metal and melodic death metal.
During t ...
, and states that many of the bands he tours with influences his songwriting.
Fafara's influences include
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...
, and
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...
, stating he likes people with "low voices".
Members of DevilDriver can be seen on Machine Head's ''
Elegies
An elegy is a poem of serious reflection, and in English literature usually a lament for the dead. However, according to ''The Oxford Handbook of the Elegy'', "for all of its pervasiveness ... the 'elegy' remains remarkably ill defined: sometime ...
'' DVD citing
Machine Head
A machine head (also referred to as a tuning machine, tuner, or gear head) is a geared apparatus for tuning stringed musical instruments by adjusting string tension. Machine heads are used on mandolins, guitars, double basses and others, and ar ...
as an influence.
Boecklin's main inspiration into becoming a percussionist came from his enjoyment of Metallica,
Primus and
Ministry
Ministry may refer to:
Government
* Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister
* Ministry (government department), a department of a government
Religion
* Christian ...
.
Band members
Current members
*
Dez Fafara
Bradley James "Dez" Fafara (born May 12, 1966) is an American heavy metal vocalist who performs in the bands DevilDriver and Coal Chamber.
Early life
Fafara is of Portuguese and Sicilian descent. His father, Tiger Fafara, and his late uncle, ...
– vocals
(2002–present)
* Jon Miller – bass
(2002–2011, 2022–present)
*
Mike Spreitzer
Michael Colin Spreitzer (born February 10, 1981) is an American musician, producer, mixing engineer, and the lead guitarist of heavy metal band DevilDriver. He is the second-longest lasting member following the departures of all original members ...
– lead guitar
(2004–present)
* Alex Lee – rhythm guitar
(2022–present)
* Davier Pérez – drums
(2022–present)
Former members
* Evan Pitts – lead guitar
(2002–2004)
* Jeff Kendrick – rhythm guitar
(2002–2014)
* John Boecklin – drums
(2002–2014)
* Aaron "Bubble" Patrick – bass
(2011–2012; session/touring)
* Chris Towning – bass
(2012–2016)
* Austin D'Amond – drums
(2015–2022)
*
Neal Tiemann
Neal Tiemann (born December 22, 1982) is an American musician, currently the lead guitarist and songwriter of the rock band the Midwest Kings (MWK). He is a former rhythm guitarist for heavy metal band DevilDriver, and served as the lead guita ...
– rhythm guitar
(2015–2021)
* Diego Ibarra – bass
(2016–2022)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
EPs
Music videos
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Devildriver
2002 establishments in California
American groove metal musical groups
American melodic death metal musical groups
Heavy metal musical groups from California
Musical groups established in 2002
Musical quintets
Napalm Records artists