Shinedown – “Devil”

By: Arlene Allen

Shinedown fans (including myself) got exactly what they’ve been waiting for since learning of a new album in the works – the first single off their new album Attention Attention. Frontman Brent Smith is certainly not kidding when he belts, “It’s about to get heavy,” because “Devil” is easily one of their heaviest, most grinding songs. It’s full of screaming guitars and this is easily one of guitarist Zach Myers’ finest sounds. Additionally, in my opinion he owns this particular song. Of course, we still have the consistent heavy percussion that marks a Shinedown song. Brent’s voice continues to be one of the best in rock and roll; although it gets a little bit lost in all of the layering and voice overs.

The band has said that Attention Attention, releasing May 4th, will be a concept album – an examination of the darkness in our souls we all face, how we deal with that and how we can emerge victorious. Single “Devil” is, of course, about the dark side – “the devil in the next room” and the “devil right beside you.” It’s up to you if you answer the call or not.

Although I really do like the song, it’s loud, it kicks butt and it has the true Shinedown sound. But that may be part of the problem I have with it as it sounds exactly like a typical Shinedown song. I’m not hearing a whole lot of new ground here, except maybe by guitarist Myers, who as I said previously, owns this song. One of the things I’ve always loved about Shinedown is the emotion underlying in their lyrics and the connection their songs evoke in me. This song just didn’t do it, didn’t pull me in me and make me say, “Yeah, I feel that.”

Still, the song “Devil” is certainly good enough to make me feel that the album is going to have a lot of potential and will surprise me.  I’ll be looking forward to May 4th.