Devildriver - Trust No One
Devildriver squash doubters following line-up changes with hard-hitting seventh album
Given that line-up changes rendered vocalist Dev Fafara the sole remaining founding member, Devildriver have a lot to prove with Trust No One. Following Fafara’s return to previous project Coal Chamber, Trust No One breaks no new ground for Devildriver, but is more consistently visceral and intense than previous effort, Winter Kills.
‘Bad Deeds’ sees badass riffage accompany Fafara’s speedy vocals to deliver a racing adrenaline, while opener ‘Testimony of Truth’ provides expert lead-guitar shredding from guitar duo Mike Spreitzer and newcomer Neal Tiemann. The duo also shine on the sinister riffs of ‘This Deception’, but it is new drummer Austin D'Amond who really stands out here as his dense hammering of the drums adds a layer of thick brutality. Another stand-out comes in the form of ‘My Night’s Sky’, which ingeniously builds momentum throughout its dynamic four-and-a-half minutes.
Trust No One’s second half is less remarkable than its first, with tracks like ‘Retribution’ reminding a little too much of what has come before, but there is still some moments of colossal intensity. Single ‘Daybreak’ sets this second half off, and sees a precise but no-less vicious assault. Though its occasionally-higher lead guitars seem somewhat out of place, the verses’ unforgiving attacks are irresistibly satisfying. Meanwhile, the sinister tones and savage riffs of closer ‘For What it’s Worth’ see Devildriver return to form following ‘Retribution’.
Trust No One fails to break any new ground, a trait all to common amongst metal acts, but following line-up changes and Dev Fafara’s time away with Coal Chamber, the album is sure to reassure fans that you can trust Devildriver to provide energetic frenzies of gratifying metal. It’s intense with some quality musicianship and well-crafted tracks, and therefore squashes any doubts about the group’s future.
7/10
