DevilDriver [PA] by DevilDriver (CD, Oct-2003, Roadrunner Records USA)

When Coal Chamber disbanded, Dez - the lead vocalist - went out and formed a new band. So right off the bat, this band has the credentials behind it thanks in part to Dez's success with Coal Chamber. However, if you're thinking that this band is going to sound like Coal Chamber, you're wrong. Instead, DevilDriver is faster, harder, heavier, louder and there is no singing. Dez just screams and the band just blasts their way through each and every song. So if you liked Coal Chamber, you may not necessarily liked DevilDriver. If you're a fan of double bass drums, fast and heavy guitars and just ear shredding vocals, then DevilDriver is for you. Now that's not to say that this band has no direction with any of their songs. Instead, DevilDriver is very capable of making each song sound unique and different from the rest. Many metal bands tend to have similar sounding songs, but DevilDriver doesn't fall victim. The only thing DevilDriver may fall victim to, is the ocassional synchopation of the bass drums with the guitars - but so many bands do that today that you're probably used to it or won't even notice. So if you're a fan of Coal Chamber, you may want to give DevilDriver a listen, just because it is a totally different sound, because as I said, this isn't just a duplicate of that band. DevilDriver doesn't have the similar sound that Korn does, they don't have choruses with actual singing - it's just a record that kicks butt from beginning to end. If you are a fan of Coal Chamber, I'm not suggesting that you avoid DevilDriver, I'm merely suggesting that you give it a listen before you purchase it. I know several people who enjoy DevilDriver more than Coal Chamber. I think this was a great CD.