Source: Album Artwork
The Devil Wears Prada have long been a lynchpin of the metalcore scene and they are set to return this October with Transit Blues. But in a scene that is becoming so crowded with new bands seemingly cropping up every day, can the 11 year veterans still cut it?
It’s been a while since their last full-length 8:18 obliterated the competition – 3 years, in fact. Since then, we had the spectacular Space EP, but it’s good to have them back in extended form. TDWP have kept Space producer Dan Korneff on board and are back where they started with Rise Records for their upcoming sixth studio album, and it’s immediately clear that this is quintessential The Devil Wears Prada.
‘Praise Poison‘ is a raw, visceral cut two-and-a-half-minute cut of refined mayhem, swelling to a punky assault that gets the headbanging into high gear. Undoubtedly a perfect show opener for their future tour commitments, frontman Mike Hranica is on fine form with his trademark impassioned vocals reigning supreme. ‘Daughter‘ bursts straight to life with underlying techno keys, but it’s the chopping and punching riffs that carry this one through and was a wise choice for them to announce their return just last month with the video.
‘Detroit Tapes‘ and ‘The Condition‘ lead the charge for an even stronger second half to the album, as the six-piece go full-tilt for brutality before showcasing their ability to visit the other end of the spectrum with beautiful songwriting and instrumentation delivering an eerie product that is executed to perfection.
‘To the Key of Evergreen‘ and ‘Submersion‘ are not only album highlights, but potential career highlights as the album winds to a close, albeit whilst maintaining momentum. In fact, If it weren’t for the bluesy tones and stripped back performance of ‘Home for Grave pt2‘, the closing 40 seconds of the title track may come as a surprise ending for some.
All in all, Transit Blues starts strong, tails off slightly before delivering some of The Devil Wears Prada’s most exciting work to date. A band that continues to grow and grow with every record, they are proof that old dogs CAN in fact learn new tricks, as they become more and more relevant to the metalcore scene.
