American groove metal band DevilDriver have dropped the first single for their ninth studio album. “Keep Away from Me” is an emotive masterpiece, thematically stunning with harsh and uncompromising lyrics.

There’s no room for debate here. As with most Devil Driver songs, the message is loud and clear. Dez Fafara’s distinctive, growling voice hammers that message home, to the backing of the band’s familiar heavy, and technically brilliant music. The tempo is slow and steady, the baseline giving the track a pulse that makes it feel alive and brimming with feelings. With the guitars acting as the final layer, it comes to life, arresting our ears and insisting we listen.

The song is sad and angry, a deeply reflective piece that speaks to wanting to cut ties with someone who is destructive. There is a hint of regret within it, that the situation went on as long as it did and became so damaging. But there is also hope, with one feeling a sense of strength and power in the brutally clear message of being sick of the pain and determined to move on from it.

This first offering from their upcoming album, “Dealing With Demons,” tells us this is going to be another amazing DevilDriver release. The album is slated to be a two-parter, with “Dealing With Demons II” due to come out in 2021, giving fans plenty to look forward to. The album will be their first original release since 2016’s “Trust No One” and their third with current line-up of Fafara (lead vocals), Mike Spreitzer (lead guitar), Neil Tiemann (rhythm guitar), Diego Ibarra (bass) and Austin D’Amond (drums). Their previous album, 2018’s “Outlaws ‘til the End: Vol. 1” was a collection of country music covers featuring numerous guest artists collaborating.

Fans have been aching for a new DevilDriver release, so this new single, coupled with the news that part one of the full double album will land in October this year comes as very welcome news. And “Keep Away from Me” being such an awesome track only adds to the excitement, giving us the first taste of what is sure to be an album that’s been worth the wait. 

 groove metal 

Author: Harley Houghton

Harley Houghton is a writer and blogger, based in Melbourne, Australia. Her passions include music, especially metal, gaming and comics. Check out her blog www.harleysmadhouse.com and follow her on Twitter.