Review Summary: After 4 albums, Devil Sold His Soul have finally nailed it.
Devil Sold His Soul have always been a band which had something to offer the hardcore scene as they brought something different to the table but unfortunately they could never quite perfect the ebb and flow of ambient post-rock guitar passages and grittier heavy sections.
It is without a doubt that new vocalist Paul Green is exactly what the band needed to add to their formula in order for it to work. I've always enjoyed ex-member Ed Gibbs' raspy screaming but disliked his whiney clean vocals as they tended to detract from the overall quality of a song and in some parts irritate me enough to dislike the song all together. Thankfully Green has a very similar screaming style but a far better singing voice which is much more versatile and talented enough to, not only hold a chorus, but make the listener want to sing along with him.
The band also stay true to their ambient leanings which is something I've always thought set them apart from other bands in the same vein. Breakthrough single "Time" and the huge EP opener "Devastator" begin with very delicate guitar intros and there are other instrumental sections scattered throughout the EP which are very effective in varying the tempo and keeping the tracks interesting. There is even an entirely instrumental track however I feel it's quite boring and an unnecessary filler.
There isn't much wrong with this release at all. I prefer Devil Sold His Soul when they keep within the 6 minute mark as otherwise I feel as though they are overcooking the epic musical journey idea and only one song surpasses 6 minutes on the EP. Despite its length (6:57), closing track "Alive" doesn't drag on like some older songs did (End Of Days, A Foreboding Sky, etc) and it makes for a fitting end, closing with a driven minute-long instrumental passage which builds to a tremendous crescendo before shrinking away like a tide going out.
If this promising EP is any indication of what's to come from this band then we can get very excited at the prospect of a full length from this new line up coming in the future.
