Reviewed by Graeme Crawford

Ohio's The Devil Wears Prada, or TDWP as they refer to themselves, don't hang about on their second album. Opener "Goats On A Boat" blasts through the speakers displaying the band's obvious musical ability and how "they seamlessly intertwine technical metal and hardcore with melodic overtones." There really isn't a better way to describe their sound, as crushing guitar riffs and frenzied drumming melt into hardcore style breakdowns. All the while atmospheric keyboards wash over the other instruments, ensuring a more diverse musical picture emerges. The lyrics are grounded in Scripture and biblical truth, although they appear very dark at first glance. Lead vocalist Mike Hranica has impressive power and range, although his mixed death and black metal style will put off many listeners. It works very well in this context though, and is complemented by the "clean" vocals of guitarist Jeremy DePoyster. The album is designed to flow, with little or no gap between the songs and the production is excellent for a band at this level. Extreme metal fans should take this chance to catch a band on the rise.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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