Though intensely heavy, crushingly so at times, it's chock-full of melody with a myriad of moods and tempos.

It can't be easy to make inroads into the European music scene when you're based on the other side of the globe. Devilskin have garnered some serious attention in their native New Zealand since forming in 2010, and this, their debut album, was actually released in July 2014, but it's taken until now for it to reach this side of the world – better late than never. It hit the top of the charts back home, so certainly warrants some attention.

'We Rise' is certainly at the heavier side of Fireworks' & Rocktopia's overall coverage, but that doesn't mean it's not without its merits. Though intensely heavy, crushingly so at times, it's chock-full of melody with a myriad of moods and tempos, taking in Contemporary Metal, and straight-ahead Hard Rock, along with touches of Thrash and even Death and Metalcore (though very occasionally and not enough to ruin the listening pleasure), however the decidedly "fruity" lyrics throughout could certainly put off some people.

One of the key factors in Devilskin's diversity is the talents of front-lady Jennie Skulander, who has one of the most impressive vocal ranges I've heard since the excellent Lzzy Hale (though I'm not comparing Devilskin to Halestorm here). Impressive enough that she can certainly belt out a Rock anthem with Power and perfect diction, she can also grunt and growl like some of Death Metal's finest, yet on the album's power ballads 'Fade' and the slow-burning, string-laden epic 'Burning Tree' her voice is at times quite beautiful – she can easily go from beautiful to brutal in the blink of an eye.

I would certainly recommend you head over to Devilskin's website www.devilskin.co.nz and check out the videos for 'Start A Revolution', 'Never See The Light' and 'Little Pills', three of the album's most commercial Hard Rockers, to try before you buy.

Ant Heeks