Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
Let me ask you a question, how many metal bands can you name in the last decade that have had their first three albums(soon to be four) turn platinum? If you do not know the name Devilskin or the band this is why you should check them out ASAP and read on for the upcoming treat that is fourth album Re-Evolution.
Well the one thing that was not going to be a surprise is that there would be a track called “Red”, following on from their have a track named after the last album craze they started. The one thing that will surprise you is just how pissed off Jennie Skulander sounds on here…get out of her way people.
The track kicks off with Paul Martin doing a Mark “the animal” Mendoza and trying to destroy his bass before all hell lets loose. Nail Vincent is playing a frantic, unhinged riff and Nic is battering the living daylights out of his kit.
When Jennie comes in the veracity just gets crazier and your head will be swimming, not knowing which direction the attack is coming from, what a way to open an album.
The opening track slips seamlessly into second track and latest single “Swelter” and there is no slowing down here. It has the same unsettling vibe as Anthrax’s “Madhouse” and this is like a knockout one two punch from Tyson in his heyday. All four members are in sync and with one joined thought…make your ears bleed.
Today your teacher is Metal Planet Music, take your seats and pay attention. Third track is “Desiderium” which is Latin meaning a strong or ardent desire or longing. You are welcome children. I will be back shortly with more wonderful knowledge for your perusal.
Nic opens the proceedings and we get a much more tamed track but without losing any vitality. This is is the middle ground of sounds for Devilskin, they kick arse at the extreme, they soar at the balladic and when things are turned down a touch tempo wise they just draw you in before a breakdown knocks you for six, pure brilliance.
I am going to have a lot to say about “Have I Come Undone” as I was utterly blown away by this beautiful song. This is like a part two to 2024 EP Surfacing track “Unborn”.
That song was prior to life and this song is about after death. Both incredible songs and I just could not stop hitting repeat on this and the lyrics “please don’t leave the light on, I wont be coming home” have haunted my thoughts and had me going over loss.
Jen’s voice is stunning here and added to the mix is Nik Barker formerly of 12 Foot Ninja who brings this song to new heights with his duet work. Oh, and also add in the incredible talented Joe Hottinger to throw down some guitar.
A very moving song full of emotion that Jen draws out of your soul and into the ether. This song may just have went to the top of my favourite Devilskin songs and without doubt my track of 2025.
“Ghosts in the Mud” comes at you with teeth and claws bared. It is thunderous, it is powerful and it is metronomically driven by the father and son duo of Nic and Paul on bass and drums but not to be outdone the breakdown of Jennie and Nail trading screaming vocals and screaming guitars before Nail lets rip with a solo from the bowels of hellis outstanding. What a track.
For “Rain in the Wind” switch speakers for headphones. This interlude song is just an acoustic guitar, Jennie’s voice and the background of falling rain. the tone of the guitar and vocals is almost like a lullaby. This song should be on a de stress soundtrack.
It goes all kind of Grungy on “Once Forgotten”. I realise Forrest Gump’s mother was telling lies, life is not like a box of chocolates, Devilskin are as you have no idea of what you are going to get. This is the middle ground track that has bells and whistles galore. A track that actually has you wondering what the hell did I just witness in a hell yeah kind of way.
Next curve ball? lets have a little nu metal in “Half Life of Dreams”. This is a pumped up Evenescence number with a bite like a tiger. It grips in and just will not let go.
We get some vinyl static on “Burn Slow” and then we have one of those incredibly powerful slow burn songs that soars as it proceeds. Once again I would get the headphones on to really appreciate Jennie’s vocal work. She has one of the most remarkable voices I have ever heard. even if I did not speak English or understood what was being said the emotions would still be wrung out of me.
Time for the teachers hat again as the next song is “Entomophobia” which is a fear of insects, take note, this will be in the test.
Nail pulls out his Jake E Lee side as the song kicks off like Bark at the Moon. The chugathon rips through the intro before settling into the nightmare scenario of bugs crawling all over you and just like the feeling this song keeps you unsettled and on edge the whole time. Another incredible song.
From Jake E Lee to Eddie Van Halen as the finger picking comes to the fore on “Celestial”. This really is a departure in sound, it is like an upbeat 90s, summer radio hit. As different as I found this it kicked ass. It has a spoken word piece and the whole thing shouldn’t work as a Devilskin track but it 100% does and you will find yourself going back to it time and again trying to put your finger on why it is so good.
Nic is in one hell of a hurry on the opening of “An Island” as he tries to burst the pig skin, he then moves on to destroy the cymbals as the song takes shape. The riff is otherworldly, the groove is infectious and the song is a beast.
The album ends with “Twenty Eight” and when you have the acoustic and Jennie in sync you know you are in for something special. This is another haunting song, slow and almost angelic until it breaks down and you feel the shift. Like the calm before the storm you know something is coming but you have no idea how destructive it is going to be but this time the storm passes you by with the feeling we made it through this one but you know Devilskin may not let you survive the next onslaught.
You can also pre-save RE-EVOLUTION on your preferred streaming platform here:
https://music.drm.co.nz/re-evolution
Re-Evolution is album number four and like each of its predecessors it has surpassed what came before. As every Devilskin album release draws near I am a mix of excitement and trepidation in case it does not live up to my very high expectations but as always I need not worry.
This album encapsulates what metal is, it embraces the sounds and genres of what has gone before with Devilskin’s destinctive sound. This is a band on fire and screaming for the world domination that they so rightly deserve.
Photo by Chontalle Musson
