Devil You Know
“The Beauty Of Destruction”
Metal
Released on 24th April 2014
Via Nuclear Blast
I’m always a little bit skeptical about “super groups” and even more when they claim to be “hugely different than anything out there” (words of singer Howard Jones). But the truth is that Devil You Know have indeed something special here. Sort of.
The opening track “A New Beginning” kicks off without warning or mercy. From the rebellious riffing to the wide range of angry vocal tones, this song is just perfect! It has everything – including the attitude – to become a metal hymn. I’m still wondering why was it just entitled to a lyric video instead of a storyline footage.
But then again, “A New Beginning” lacks those catchy melodic parts and their righteous contrast with the heavy ones, which is a characteristic feature in their general sound. So yeah, “Seven Years Alone” was a better choice for a proper video as it gives you a more accurate notion of what to expect from Devil You Know.
I don’t like to compare bands when the outcome is good, as I’m afraid it will undermine one’s creativity credit. And since I think “My Own” is a great song, I’ll just say that the fans of Jones’ previous band will be very happy with this track.
“Embracing The Torture” couldn’t be a more fitting title for the third track – regardless of the lyrics, the music itself introduces the devious brutality of a torturer meeting the desperate pain of the tortured. Too much of a metaphor? Just listen to the belligerent verses and the languishing chorus and you’ll see what I mean.
“A Mind Insane” carries a certain mystique whenever the rhythm drops its speed. But when the guitars keep their brisk pace and shred away, one must smile at the thought that Francesco Artusato’s original idea was not to play solos…
By now you must be wondering about the “sort of” with which I ended the first paragraph. The first I’m-not-impressed feeling comes with “For The Dead And Broken”. The band tries to diverse by going for a less aggressive approach – nothing wrong with that – but the outcome is way too shallow. This is certainly the weakest track in “The Beauty Of Destruction”.
The same when they add some sad and obscure vibe to “It’s Over” and “As Bright As The Darkness”. And “Crawl From The Dark”. And “I Am The Nothing”. Sure it does sound different, all that darkness entwined with metal and not sounding goth or doom. But, honestly, it doesn’t sound extraordinary.
Still, the uppers are stronger than the downers and it’s not out of nicety that I say that this is a good album.
4 / 5
By Renata “Pieni” Lino
Valkyrian Music 