Stop waiting for the rockstar….they are right here
Boasting the type of career trajectory that makes other – dare we say lesser – bands jealous, at first glance it seems that it has come easy for Birmingham’s Devilfire.
Forming a year or so back and immediately getting offered a slot on the Tarja Turunen tour of Eastern Europe might seem like a stroke of luck, but the band have worked hard to become overnight sensations.
The record is the culmination of a four-year process for frontman Alex Cooper, who was drummer in Hanging Doll and has worked with Spike and Ginger amongst others, and it shows. Because “Dark Manoeuvres” is a brilliantly crafted and wonderfully polished piece of work.
Absolutely unashamed in its desire to dream big, the album is one that is resolute in its belief that Devilfire are heading to arenas.
“Ready For War” has the feel of an AOR classic about it even before Cooper has opened his mouth, but by the time the Bon Jovi-esque solo has hit (and as always mention of Jovi is meant as a compliment on this site) it is very obviously very special. It’s no fluke either, “She’s Like Fire” might do things with a little more of a clenched fist, “(In And Out Of Love) All Of The Time” on the other hand is mid-paced and would have “hit single” all over it, if anyone bought singles anymore.
Devilfire have a knack of making four-minute rock songs sound epic. Nowhere is this better shown than on the brilliant album highlight “Waiting For A Rockstar” which comes in with more than a hint of Led Zep about it, it also boasts a brilliant chorus that you will not shake off.
Put simply there is nothing demur about the five piece whatsoever. Songs like “Lay It On The Line” don’t get written by bands who lack confidence, the orchestral tones and mighty hook of “Kill Your Love” don’t get made if there is any self-doubt, and the slide guitar drenched “Tear Me Apart” (key line: “so please understand that I don’t think its me”) revels in its own misery.
Frankly, you can pick any song here and find something to commend it, “God Give Me Vengeance” is lifted above the norm by its soaring lead guitar, and the way that “Devil In Your Eyes” looks for – and finds – trouble is exquisite.
DM is not an album that feels particularly political, but “(You Gotta) Revolution” is the heaviest thing here by quite a way and knows how to rouse the rabble. Elsewhere though, smooth as silk chugging is the order of the day, “She’s Always On The Run” is a prime example.
13 songs is lengthy for a record these days and it is to Devilfire’s immense credit that this album doesn’t have any weak points. “A Thousand Times” has a touch of HIM about it, and the last song, “Somehow” is a real left turn. Deliberately sparse and largely just Cooper and an acoustic it is at odds with the rest of the record, but in common with everything else here is superbly done.
“Dark Manoeuvres” is the type of record that Alter Bridge would write if Alter Bridge were not deadly dull. It is a snapshot of how a British band takes on arena rock. Confident and classy, it is one of the best debut albums this year.
Rating 8.5/10
