Founded in 2014 by two punk rock war horses and two rockabilly demons, Diablogato has always existed on the outskirts of the Boston music scene, misfit outsiders rolling on their own dime and bar hopping through punk, rockabilly, twang, and whatever else. They have a new EP `Snake Oil Salvation` out this month.
The first cut on the latest extended play is the powerful `Heaven`s Gate` which has a forceful swagger and hints at a clandestine meeting of two souls where their fate is left undetermined. We have a number in `Fire and Powder` that almost ignites. It races along with a kind of anthemic punk vibe with “whoa oh oh`s” that will have you chanting along before the number is out. The last minute or so has a searing guitar solo accompanied by some manic drumming.
`Wandering Hearts` is a tale about two spirits that can`t seem to settle down and seem destined to continue drifting not only through the earth but life. A rhythmic and energetic listen. There`s a steady thumping rock backbone to `Jet Black Night` which seems to relate to a couple who have accepted that their fate is linked to the darker side of life, so they may as well embrace it.
`July 1969` may have welcomed the Apollo 11 moon landing but here it seems to be a tale of somebody who is fairly self-absorbed and on a mission that includes self-destruction through alcohol. An absorbing foot-tapping nigh on rockabilly offering with a bell like tone sliced through occasionally. The final track `Lost Highway` begins quite slowly before letting rip on this saga of heading down a lost highway which may be a metaphor for life and just letting it take you where it goes.
This quartet of Drew Indingaro on vocals and guitar, Charlie MacSteven guitar, Johnny Custom upright bass and Jesse Lewis Mayer on drums can certainly make a blistering noise and if you enjoy a mix of blues-tinged rock with a bit of rockabilly and punk thrown in for good measure these Devilcats will certainly float your boat.
Rating 8/10
