DEVILDRIVER
The Fury of Our Makers Hand
Roadrunner Records 2005
www.devildriver.com

Read the Dez Fafara interview

What’s the 4-1-1?
Former Coal Chamber frontman drops his sophomore effort with his current band.

Genre
Black metal / death metal

The Good
I enjoyed how the opening track “End of the Line” starts off all calm and subdued like everything’s okay, but quickly changes into a hardcore assault as if all hell is breaking loose. Of course for our protagonist in this tale, he’s fighting for his life. Recalling the titled all ways makes me laugh, but “Grinfuck” is no laughing matter. Vocalist Dez Fafara is a blood-thirsty madman as he growls of his subject impending fate. Old habits die hard on “Sin and Sacrifice,” as Fafara struggles with the wrongs he’s committed. This track blends hard driving riffs and pounding drums with some surprising guitar melodies. The guitar riffs are full of intensity on “Pale Horse Apocalypse,” and faded guitar licks help command “Just Run.” Dez unleashes all of his hate, fury and passion on “Before the Hangman’s Noose.”

The Bad
Nothing notable

The Verdict
I absolutely hated Coal Chamber, so I avoided DevilDriver fearing they would be the same. It wasn’t until they opened for Opeth a couple years ago that I really got to take them in. I must say that I was really impressed with the intensity of their music. They were loud, they were evil, they were fast, and they were fierce. I loved every minute of it. The same terms can be used to describe The Fury of Our Maker’s Hand. Crank it up and feel the power of the darkside.

Did You Know?
A devil driver is the name witches give to the bells they use to drive evil away when they are casting their spells.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne