This is excellent music for those that like to bang their heads and raise their fists.

Ohio natives Devilstrip rise up with their debut album and it's a big ass lump of powerful Rock music that is easy to get excited about. Unafraid to turn the guitars up to eleven and pound out bass-heavy, but melody driven, kick-ass Heavy Rock, these boys may have something that other bands lack these days.

Opener 'Not What You Need' thunders out of the speakers, taking care to remind the listener "you're Rocking on the devilstrip" between catchy choruses. Vocalist/guitarist Marc Wasmund has a voice that will certainly remind people of Mike Patton, whilst the songs are even a little Faith No More-y, but do not dismiss Devilstrip as anything but their own men.

'Rise' is, for me, like all the best bits of FNM but...well...better. Devilstrip are nicely straightforward, but with an energy and power that always seems to come from the best trios. The riffs are big and proud, the song structure solid and they have the sense to allow themselves more fluid, fast tracks like 'Kill The Headlights (Roll)' as well as tracks that are fist pumping, riff-based Rockers.

'Rise' is an incredibly solid album and it's a stunning achievement for a debut. This is excellent music for those that like to bang their heads and raise their fists. It's not shouty or scarily heavy; Devilstrip prove to be very adept at the Heavy Metal high wire act, striking an almost perfect balance.
Here's hoping we can continue to Rock on the Devilstrip for years to come.

Alan Holloway