Review by Matt Miller
Although Dez Fafara has distanced himself from his Coal Chamber origins with the 2003 self-titled DevilDriver debut, the band’s latest album, The Fury of Our Maker’s Hand, mirrors his previous work. While fans and listeners could predict Coal Chamber’s eventual demise through an increasingly destitute energy level, DevilDriver may represent the antithesis to the band’s collapse. DevilDriver’s second attempt staggers a bit, but it’s no disappointment.
My favorite song, “End of the Line,” introduces the album with a pleasant, almost U2 reminiscent melody, leading into a smooth transition toward some of the heaviest of metal. Listeners really aren’t entirely engaged in the song until a minute and a half has passed, setting up a solid contrast between the peaceful and the furious. Regrettably, such contrast is rarely repeated throughout the album, which may cause listeners to become a little bored at the halfway point.
Nevertheless, some tracks offer a different contrast between excessively low and high pitched guitar riffs. “Driving Down the Darkness,” the second song on The Fury of Our Maker’s Hand, contains an interesting interplay between guitars in which the frantic, high pitched guitar actually seems to be attempting to drive down the darker, baseline guitar melodies.
Conflicting guitar melodies are implemented effectively throughout the album; however other facets of the band are not used in the same manner, particularly the vocals. From a vocal standpoint, The Fury of Our Maker’s Hand is essentially the musical counterpart to me typing THIS ENTIRE REVIEW IN ALL CAPS. Without any distinction between verses, listeners may not know what’s important to take away from the songs. The title track, which closes the CD beautifully, is the only song to contain singing and gives me hope for the future of DevilDriver, but makes me wonder why Dez neglects to sing now and again throughout the album.
“The Fury of Our Maker’s Hand” also has a rather peaceful closing melody making it the most dynamic song on album. It serves as a counterpart to the intro track, giving the album an essential feeling of advancement and achievement. I just wish the journey had a little more impact.