The Devildriver tour machine hit Perth on the last show of the Australian run this past Wednesday and it’s been a long time coming with more than a few years since their last visit. Tagging along was All That Remains who continue to push their latest album plus NSW metallers Lycanthrope who make their WA debut.
Devildriver a band that need little introduction at this point, fronted by Dez Fafara of Coal Chamber fame, the band have been road dogs since day one hitting all corners of the earth including regular visits to Australia. Recent years have seen the band unable to make it our way so tonight was a welcome return. But before the headliners hit the stage, a couple of bands got the crowd warmed up.
Lycanthrope made their first ever appearance in Perth tonight and what a way to do it, supporting 2 major acts that surely would have been an influence on these young lads given their brand of music. With leanings towards metalcore with some groovy aspects, the Newcastle 6 piece took the stage by storm looking to win over some new fans. The band delivered what they set out to achieve if the crowd reaction was anything to go by, it was packed by the time they closed their set and it was only going to get bigger from here.
All That Remains are out on tour promoting their latest release “Victim Of The New Disease” which features the last recordings of guitarist Oli Herbert who sadly passed away last year so having that heavy cloud hanging about was always going to be a focal point of sorts among diehard fans. Stepping up to take the lead guitar position is Jason Richardson who by all accounts after tonights performance, did a stellar job of providing mesmerizing guitar parts that would probably make Oli himself proud.
The crowd was teeming from back to front by this point, a good sign pushed forward by the venue change that forced the show to upgrade to a bigger room. To be honest, Devildriver and All That Remains together is too big for a small club room anyway and the main support act tonight took full advantage by busting out material from old to new with frontman Philip Labonte commanding the stage like a pro. I think it’s safe to say the band pleased the fans well enough by the time they walked off stage.
Tonight’s set by Devildriver was slightly delayed due to some technical issue which was luckily rectified in time for the California metal act to give it all they had, and they did that through and through. Dez himself was on blistering fire, attacking the vocals with such ferocity that honestly, I hadn’t seen in years. With word that the band may be taking an extended hiatus after this tour, it may not be surprising then that they wanted to go out with a bang.
The set itself was filled to the brim with what you could call “the classics”. “Grinfucked” showed the very best of what Devildriver are about, “Hold Back The Day” was on point and even oldie but goodie “I Could Care Less” sounded better than ever. Very little new material was heard, instead focusing on the first 2 albums along with a couple of Coal Chamber classics including the ever so popular “Loco”. If people didn’t get onto that song the first time around, they certainly did with this live performance that in all honesty, slayed the original.
They saved the best for last though in my humble opinion with “End Of The Line” closing out the show and Dez himself proclaiming the idea of encores as a shit idea. If you are going to leave a big impression on a crowd, Devildriver did it just the right way. Tonight was the best we had seen the band in years and if that’s any indication of where the band are at these days, we hope this isn’t the last we hear from them.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Tammie Molotov – Molotov Enterprises & Photography
Devildriver
All That Remains
