In the realm of heavy metal, where the fusion of raw energy and dark themes is a delicate art, Devil Master emerges as a standout act, effortlessly weaving together the threads of occultism, theater, and raw musical prowess. Their latest single, "You Worms' Vain Delusion," is a testament to their unique ability to strike a balance between the absurd and the profound, the theatrical and the genuine. This week, we delve into the intricacies of Devil Master's music, exploring how they've mastered the art of heavy metal, and why their latest offering is a must-listen for fans of the genre.
The Mystical and Ferocious Peak of Heavy Metal
Heavy metal, at its core, is a genre that demands a unique blend of elements. It's a fusion of rock fury, inherited from rock and roll and shared with punk, that channels the untamable spirit. This is intertwined with the noxious occult air, be it through evil spirits, confrontation with the void, or the sonic depiction of life's struggles. But it also requires an element of theater, whether it's pitching up the intensity of miseries or grandiloquent displays in black metal or traditional heavy metal. The challenge lies in achieving this balance, as many bands either become caricatures or fall into campy fun.
Devil Master's Mastery: Cake and Eat It Too
Devil Master stands out as one of the few bands that have successfully navigated this delicate balance. Their VHS-style music video for "You Worms' Vain Delusion" is a testament to this, with its capes, corpse paint, and grungy basement punk jam space, all leaning into the natural ridiculousness of occult, Satan-worshipping, deeply gothic heavy metal. However, what sets Devil Master apart is their serious chops and charismatic, human playing. They understand the natural humor underlying their music, but they are also deeply serious about the music itself.
The Art of Real Players with Real Instruments
One of the key aspects of Devil Master's music is their commitment to the art of real players with real instruments. They don't rely on quantization, Autodyne, heavy use of click tracks, or overly compressed sounds, which are common crutches in modern heavy music. As a result, their songs feel wild, feral, and dangerous, without losing their sense of fun or camp. This is a masterclass in heavy metal, and Devil Master has only grown stronger over their three albums.
Honorable Mentions
Anthrax - "The Edge of Perfection"
Anthrax, the New York thrash legends, surprise with their new single, "The Edge of Perfection." Drawing from their shared history, including time in S.O.D., they deliver a blend of blast beats and slick black metal transitions. The song feels like a fusion of Deafheaven and Metallica, with vocal and rhythmic melodies that wouldn't be out of place on a Baroness record. It's brilliant, and it showcases how Anthrax has evolved while staying true to its roots.
Chat Pile - "PEN I S MALL"
Chat Pile takes the natural theater of heavy music in the opposite direction, ultimately achieving the same effect. Their gritty realism is turned up to 11, placing the despair and decay of the working class under a microscope. "PEN I S MALL" is a brutal song that fuses noise rock, hardcore, sludge metal, doom, and death metal, creating an emotionally harrowing portrait of killers from low places. Every time someone calls them fake, they only get heavier and more evil, which is a refreshing approach.
Left to Die - "Legion of Doom"
Left to Die, a collaboration between Terry Butler (former bassist of Death) and Rick Rozz (guitar player of Evil Chuck), delivers re-recorded versions of Mantas' earliest demos. This is a brilliant idea, as it brings these classic death metal songs to life with their first proper renditions. Rounded out with Matt Harvey and Gus Rios of Gruesome, this re-recording is a testament to the power of reframing old and obscure songs, much like Accept's brilliant re-recordings.
The Takeaway
Devil Master's "You Worms' Vain Delusion" is a must-listen for fans of heavy metal, showcasing their unique ability to blend the absurd and the profound, the theatrical and the genuine. Their commitment to real players and real instruments, combined with their understanding of the natural humor underlying their music, makes them a standout act in the genre. As for the honorable mentions, Anthrax, Chat Pile, and Left to Die each bring something unique to the table, whether it's a blend of thrash and black metal, gritty realism, or the power of reframing classic songs. In the end, heavy metal is all about pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers, and these bands are doing just that.
