Devil You Know: They Bleed Red

Releasing their debut album, The Beauty Of Destruction, back in 2014, Devil You Know was the coming together of Fear Factory/Devolved drummer John Sankey, All Shall Perish guitarist Francesco Artusato and ex-Killswitch Engage frontman Howard Jones. For album number two, They Bleed Red, the trio have added bassist Ryan Wombacher to the line-up, while also utilising the much in demand talents of Lamb Of God producer Josh Wilbur.

Unsurprisingly with a roll call like that, not only does They Bleed Red meet the lofty expectations their debut album placed upon this band, it easily surpasses them. The addition of Wombacher seems to have added a cohesion that you didn't know was missing until you experience this outfit second time round, while in terms of sound, Wilbur has hit the head of the nail with such precision, that it's been driven home with one solid thunk. Heading into They Bleed Red, Devil You Know stated they were looking for a more straight on metal attack, to say they've achieved that would be an understatement of some proportion; the likes of "Stay Of Execution" thriving through its percussive onslaught and Jones' masterful voice, where an expressive barking howl rips the guts right out of you. That he can then provide the engaging clean vocals that make "Break The Ties" the clever shift in atmosphere it is, is impressive indeed.

There's little doubt that the reason TBR makes the mighty impression it does is because of its keenly controlled aggression, however neither is it possible to ignore the style with which it constantly shifts up and down through the gears. "Your Last Breath" positively destroying all in its path, the aforementioned "Stay Of Execution" a much more considered slice of dark, deep melancholy which slightly reminds of Fear Factory. Add in the sharp, incisive stab of "Shattered Silence", the snarling snap of "How The End Shall Be" and the almost balladic, Queensryche like, "Let The Pain Take Hold" and They Bleed Red proves an album capable of holding your attention as it thoroughly invigorates your senses. However lets not underestimate Artusato's superb guitar work, his supremely tight, supremely aggressive but masterfully melodic touch an absolute revelation throughout.

Their debut album suggested that Devil You Know were an interesting and worthy side project from undoubtedly talented musicians. However with They Bleed Red this band have made a statement that demands attention and confirms in no uncertain terms that Devil You Know are out and out metal monsters. Better the Devil You Know? You better believe it!

Track Listing
1. Consume The Damned
2. The Way We Die
3. Your Last Breath
4. Stay of Execution
5. Break The Ties
6. Shattered Silence
7. Let The Pain Take Hold
8. Master of None
9. Searching For The Sun
10. How The End Shall Be
11. Broken By The Cold

Added: April 2nd 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Devil You Know on Facebook
Hits: 1423
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]