Set to unleash their 11th full length album later this week, metal music forerunners DevilDriver have issued a clear statement of intent with the title track, "Strike and Kill."
The single augments the effective campaign thus far that has included a pair of pulverizing preview singles with "Dig Your Own Grave" and "Dead In the Water." Led by the furious vocal command of Dez Fafara, the latest cut showcases the full arsenal of DevilDriver - bridging various styles of metallic mayhem on a single that sets the bar with devastating results.
Fafara explained, “‘Strike and Kill' is a song about individuals that have to learn lessons the hard way. Sometimes in life, you need to learn things the hard way in order to make your next decision or next move properly. Beware the moves you make at midnight behind emotion and without any thought of consequence. For you will learn lessons, and they will be taught to you the hard way.”
The arrival of Strike and Kill marks the return of Devildriver, following the acclaim of the band's two part epic in Dealing with Demons - launched respectively in 2020 and 2023. The current line-up of guitarists Alex Lee and Gabe Mangold of Enterprise Earth, along with drummer Davier Ortega Perez and the return of founding bassist Jon Miller clearly point to a band working in lockstep on their 11th full length presentation.
Speaking to the greater scope of the album, Fafara shared, "My headspace hasn't changed, I have not become complacent or soft in my view of the world or in my music. Metal is our outlet as listeners and writers, so on this record we focused on 'getting it all out' lyrically, and backing those lyrics with savage, relentless music that fuels the heavy California groove like no other. DEVILDRIVER has never sounded like any other band, we do our own thing in our own way, and I'm the most proud of that."
Out in support of Strike and Kill, Devildriver will also set out on a summer North American tour with support from Upon A Burning Body and Ov Sulfur. The tour begins August 14th in San Diego, CA and circles back around to close in Anaheim, CA on September 5th. A complete list of dates and cities can be found below.
Strike and Kill, the new album from Devildriver arrives July 10th via Napalm Records. Order the album - HERE
