CD review DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL ‘Loss’

UK-based post-metal band Devil Sold His Soul started in 2004 and released one year later with ‘Darkness Prevails’ a first EP. Over the years three longplayers have been added to the discography of which the latest one so far is entitled ‘Empire of Light’ and was published in 2012. In 2013 founding member and frontman Ed Gibbs left the band and after the ‘Belong/Betray’ EP saw the light of day, a kind of radio silence took over.

Some activity in the Devil Sold His Soul camp could be witnessed in 2018 when the guys played some shows in Asia, followed by a work process for a new album. ‘Loss’ is the title of this new chapter, a ten songs featuring album that comes via Nuclear Blast Records.

The basic vibe of ‘Loss’, and the title reflects this, is about loss, grief, health and fear, but also healing. Theme-wise it’s a very touching album, expressed through music that reflects a lot but not the colorful aspect of life. In a way the expression of ‘Loss’ might reflect the soul of these crazy times and hereby fit in the here and now. Singer Paul Green describes the songs as being a catharsis for things that couldn’t have been expressed differently otherwise.

Musically, the album alternates between the poles of aggressive outbursts and soulful moments in which calmness rules. Listening to ‘Loss’ reminds me of Deftones in a way, although none of the tracks gets to the high-quality level of the Californian icons.

‘Loss’ isn’t a bad album and at the same time it also doesn’t stand out. Things are solid and songs are well-crafted. The production is powerful and helps to bring the emotional aspect to forefront. What could have been stronger is the own identity from a musical aspect since the authenticity of these ten songs comes mostly from the lyrics and less from the music itself.