Devil To Pay--Thirty Pieces Of Silver
Benchmark 2004
It's cool when labels try to market their bands across genre lines, but it can be damaging if the group winds up getting misrepresented in the process. This scenario can be especially lethal for new bands. Case in point: Devil To Pay. The press release for their new album, Thrity Pieces Of Silver, would lead one to believe they're a "stoner" rock band. What comes through the speakers is something else.
Devil To Pay mercifully have very little "stoner" rock quality to them. Instead, Thrity Pieces Of Silver offers up some very competent grooved doom. This stuff is coming from the Black Sabbath school of thought, though Lee Smith-era Penance would probably be the best comparison. That said, because of the inherent sense of groove this material possesses, both doomers and "stoner" rockers should find plenty to like about the album.
The doom leaning nature of these songs definitely gives Thirty Pieces Of Silver a greater sense of depth than if it was otherwise. "Whores Of Babylon" stands out thanks to its nice dynamic contrasts, while the opening riff to "Dinosaur Steps" culls a bit of "South Of Heaven" Slayer vibe. "Swathe" has a riff that fascilitates a great hooky groove, for those who crave it. However, "Toreador" emerges as both the album's heaviest and catchiest track. This one is boosted further by a unique chord progression during the chorus section.
All in all, Thirty Pieces Of Silver is a pretty decent start for Devil To Pay. It's a listen that improves as it goes on. For doomers looking to find something fresh and innovative, or mindblowing, this isn't it. Still, Thirty Pieces Of Silver is a damn solid effort and that will probably be good enough, for most. Tried and true.
Score this CD directly from BENCHMARK
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