Rough Edge: The Devil Wears Prada CD Reviews

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

"Dead Throne" (Ferret Music; 2011)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

Unlike my much-respected colleagues, Jeff Rogers and Mike SOS, I just don't get The Devil Wears Prada, and "Dead Throne" did nothing to change my opinion.

"Dead Throne" sounds pretty solid, as far as production and implementation are concerned so it's not a problem of the band not being talented. It's more a problem with the style of music. I'm sorry, but to me, too much of metalcore ... and too much of "Dead Throne" ... sounds all the same. It's speedy, driving but sterile metal with screeching vocals that you really can't understand a word of.

Obviously, there are many metalcore fans out there so this band continues to do well and I wish them no ill. Just because I don't get it doesn't mean no on else can. That's the beauty of music - one man's tin is another man's gold.

For more information, check out http://www.tdwpband.com/ or http://www.myspace.com/tdwp.

"With Roots Above and Branches Below" (Ferret Music; 2009)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

This is the third studio CD from this Christian metalcore band, and what a release it is! I read the review from Mike SOS and I just had to find out more about this band. If you want something that blasts your head off then give these guys 40:17 of your time and you will never forget them. The Devil Wears Prada combine heavy guitar, stomping drums and screaming vocals with singing ... yeah, what a combo!

Jeremy DePoyster provides the clean release while Mike Hranica growls, grunts and overall kills you with his brutal unclean screams. The balance is about 60/40 with Mike laying waste to your eardrums.

The guitar is just plain awesome! I love the fast rhythms that they play and when they gallop along I can't help but gallop with them. The drums are brutal and if Daniel Williams's kit isn't dust by the end of this disc he must be pounding on a steel set. They have an epic sound on a few cuts and some progressive music sneaks in there every now and then but only through interjections.

The Devil Wears Prada: Jeremy DePoyster – clean vocals, guitar; James Baney – keyboard, synth, piano, programming; Mike Hranica – unclean vocals; Andy Trick – bass; Daniel Williams – drums; Chris Rubey – lead guitar.

For more information, check out http://www.tdwpband.com/ or http://www.myspace.com/tdwp.

"Plagues" (Rise; 2007)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

The stagnancy which metalcore produces has become easy to lambaste, yet the resilient sextet The Devil Wears Prada does their part to try and inject some freshness into a stale scene.

On the act's latest 10-track affair, "Plagues," the Ohio group interjects the standardized onslaught of bass drops and burly breakdowns ("Goats on a Boat"), yet also travel into different realms thanks to the presence of Euro metal keyboards and a varied vocal performance that ranges from melodic to demonic.

Pushing the boundaries to come up heavier ("Don't Dink and Drance"), more bludgeoning ("This Song is Called"), but above all, more cohesive ("Number Three. Never Forget"), this squad's tighter songwriting chops and discernibly brawnier output assist The Devil Wears Prada in shedding its maligned association to reach a more mature plateau where bands like Chiodos (whose singer Craig Owens joins in on "You Can't Spell Crap Without the "C") reside.

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/tdwp.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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