Here's another band to file under Super-Duper Group: Kill Devil Hill. We have - bassist Rex Brown (Pantera, Down), session guitarist extraordinaire Mark Zavon (Cycle Hum, W.A.S.P.) drummer Johnny Kelly (Danzig, Type O Negative) and ex-Pissing Razors (ouch!) singer Dewey Bragg.
Revolution Rise is one heavy stompin' rock n' roll record. The 2nd release takes the hard rock sound and beefs it up a bunch. The vocals are good and angry in some songs and heart-felt and deep in others (so much better than Down). In a few of these songs I feel some spiritual insights. I am not saying it's a Christian message, but as a Christian, most of the songs I can connect with.
The openers "No way Out" and "Crown of Thorns" are heavy enough to please any Pantera fan. Not as brutal, but it'll make punch your momma! "Leave it all Behind" sways back and forth between mid-tempo and heavy, plus melodic vocals and a groove that touches your soul perfectly - the distorted bass riffage in the song "Why" cuts like a knife. It overtakes without overpowering or overriding. The vocals drag on the last lines adding more tension to an already intense song.
I like what I hear in the next tune "Wake the Dead". The vocals are gritty and the backing vocals get all Alice in Chains-ish. The groove is kind of slow, but it gets under your skin. To break things down a bit more, "Long way from Home" invites the bass player to get in some more tasty riffs. The solo is sweet and will bring a tear to your eye if you let it. This one, to me, is for any lost soul who's searching for something meaningful. I really felt a connection with this song. "Where Angels dare to Roam" will smack you in the face with this deep groove and "Stained glass Sadness" takes the groove even deeper(this tune will keep you regular).
The perfect song to dedicate to my "ex" is "Endless Static". You know who you are - all your bla-bla-bla and this one’s for you! (yeah you!!) No, I'm not bitter. Back with more deep grooves with Rex Brown in "Stealing Days" - this is one of those songs where you don't know whether to have a beer or step in front of a bus. "Life goes On" closes the record out. This song puts on another display of melodic heaviness. From the progression to vocals, it makes you....feel.
This band is the coolest hard rock group out there. Vocally and musically Kill Devil Hill delivers. They are a good example of what hard rock is. And "Revolution Rise" is a good hard rock album. Downside: it's only 11 songs deep and I would have used a harder song to close with. Upside are trax 1-11. I give these guys a hearty 8 1/2...why?? A closer should leave me wanting more. I felt satisfied at the end. I will hear it again, but maybe in a couple of days, ya know?
Tim Duran, HMS
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