Devilinside
Prelude
4.9
Devilinside is a name, much like Martyr AD, that can be traced back to the crushing force that was Disembodied. Making quite the impact on Minnesota and helping define the mid-90’s metalcore sound, people were curious to see what musical endeavors these ex-members would take up next. While Joel Johnson, Tara Anderson, and Justin Kane went off to form Martyr AD and garner quite a bit of success, the road hasn’t been as easy for Joel Anderson and Tony Byron, and rightfully so. Devilinside is basic, boring, and borderline nu-metal, metalcore. After hearing Martyr AD (as Martyr AD brought the metalcore sound to the next level and then some), people became interested in what Devilinside would have to offer. As they started playing their first shows I think it’s safe to say most watched with a confused look, much like I did, as their music was pretty much boring to say the least. If you’re looking for nothing but basic Meshuggah riffs, but played on time, and boring chunk breakdowns, then Devilinside will be your album of the year. If you demand more from your metalcore, or music in general, then this is easily a waste of your time to even check out. Tony Byron’s riffs circle around with a couple hooks, aim to be a bit thrashy, and attempt to throw out a decent breakdown, but ultimately always fall short. I thought maybe this EP might offer something better then what I had originally heard from them live (during one song they played basic open chord chugs for something like 20 seconds while raising the horns, (can you say “lame”?) until I found out it was actually recorded in 2002. At this point I new it was still going to be the same boring stuff they had been playing for the past couple years. It seems they have a new full-length due out this year, which may show a bit of musical advancement, this EP however shows none. Byron’s riffs haven’t advanced much past the Disembodied sound and considering they were putting out records almost 8 years ago, that’s not exactly working towards his favor. If you are in need to desperately relive the Disembodied metalcore days, then check this EP out, otherwise avoid it like the plague.
