As DEVILDRIVER enter their third decade with nine full-length albums, countless international tours and worldwide renown, they prove more resilient than ever. As the world was upended in 2020, iconic groove metal leaders DEVILDRIVER didn’t pause, releasing the highly-acclaimed first installment of their two-part Dealing With Demons saga, Dealing With Demons I. Now, as society emerges more hardened and determined than before, so does DEVILDRIVER’s 10^th full-length, Dealing With Demons Vol. II.

Once again produced and engineered by Steve Evetts with additional engineering from guitarist Mike Spreitzer, Dealing With Demons Vol. II is inarguably heavier and relentlessly harsher than its predecessor. The new album represents not only the most vicious of the two records, but also the darkest recesses of celebrated frontman Dez Fafara’s psyche and the final purging of his demons that have long haunted the band’s music.

The first example of this new onslaught can be experienced today via the band’s unrelenting first single from Dealing With Demons Vol. II, entitled “Through the Depths”. The undeniably grim burner features black metal-esque passages, deft guitar work and menacing lyricism – proving the evolution of DEVILDRIVER in this new decade. The track is accompanied by a “demonic” new official music video sure to get your head banging!

DEVILDRIVER frontman Dez Fafara says about “Through the Depths”:
“‘Through the Depths’ is a conversation between a higher power and humans regarding the power of thinking ideas into existence, but being very careful of being arrogant behind those wants and needs. 

The first lines give this away: “Attention attention, you’re seeking, you’ve asked for, it’s given” (the higher power says) 

Then the lines of the chorus are that same higher power speaking to humans, saying: ‘through the depths to the ascension, nothing you wouldn’t do for my attention, held to the fire it’s not my crime, you’ve pinned it on me for the last time.’ Meaning – don’t blame the Gods (pin it on them) for your fuck ups. Meaning – put it out there and take steps to attain goals and take accountability.

This track is the essence of Dealing With Demons Vol. II, and the conversations within the record get way deeper than even this.

Enjoy.”

International media mainstays like Revolver, Metal Hammer, Kerrang and Consequence lauded Dealing With Demons I, which debuted at #4 on the US Current Hard Music Albums Chart. Blabbermouth stated, “If the second half of this mammoth endeavor matches the first, this will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the DEVILDRIVER story.” Rest assured, Dealing With Demons Vol. II doubles down on the brutality – and then some!

Track one, “I Have no Pity”, instantly keeps fans guessing with its contrasting, marching rhythmic groove and Dez Fafara’s icy, earworm warnings. The album’s standout production immediately shines, with the track’s thick riffs, haunting leads, room-filling drums and Fafara’s vocal prowess leading the way. Eerie, insistent “Mantra” drops a wave of melodic aggression on the listener, instantly inducing headbanging with its breakneck pace and occult lyricism. Dynamic tracks like “Nothing Lasts Forever” and “Summoning” cascade with alternating passages of sinister riffage and memorable chants. “Bloodbath” is as brutal as its name suggests, ominously bending and pummeling with immediate aggression, as “It’s a Hard Truth” continues the onslaught, cautioning against delusion amid balanced melodic leads. Closer anthems “If Blood is Life” and “This Relationship, Broken” are the blood-soaked cherries atop Dealing With Demons Vol. II, bringing together all of the elements that make DEVILDRIVER the best at their craft.

If there is any question as to whether DEVILDRIVER is slowing down any time soon, Dealing With Demons Vol. II proves that 20 years into their career, even with their demons in tow – they move forward at the forefront of metal.

Dez Fafara adds:
“Dealing With Demons Vol. II is – simply put – a conversation in its entirety about Dealing With “Inner” Demons. It’s a conversation in song form between ‘self and a power apart from one’s self, and trying to bury old entities.'”

Pre-Order Dealing With Demons Vol. IIHERE

Dealing With Demons Vol. IItrack listing:
1. I Have no Pity
2. Mantra
3. Nothing Lasts Forever
4. Summoning
5. Through the Depths
6. Bloodbath
7. It’s a Hard Truth
8. If Blood is Life
9. This Relationship, Broken

DEVILDRIVER will embark on the first leg of their “Double Trouble Live” USA co-headlining tour with labelmates CRADLE OF FILTH today! Support acts on the tour are Black Satellite and Oni – see below for a complete list of dates.

CRADLE OF FILTH & DEVILDRIVER
“Double Trouble Live” 2023 USA Co-Headline Tour Dates
w/ Black Satellite & Oni
March 8 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
March 9 – San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park
March 11 – Santa Ana, CA @ Observatory – SOLD OUT
March 12 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
March 14 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox
March 17 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
March 18 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Sunshine Studios
March 19 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
March 21 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
March 22 – Dallas, TX @ Amplified Live
March 23 – Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live
March 25 – El Paso, TX @ The Rockhouse
March 26 – Albuquerque, NM @ Revel

Respected standard bearers for 21^st century metal, DEVILDRIVER, have spent the last two decades pursuing a course of uncompromising artistry and nonsense-free dedication to the road. Led by the prolific Dez Fafara, the Californian crew have earned their reputation as one of the hardest working bands on the planet, while issuing a steady succession of brutal but distinctive albums along the way. Their focus has remained laser-sharp, and never more so than on the monumental double album, Dealing With Demons. 

DEVILDRIVER is:
Dez Fafara – Vocals
Mike Spreitzer – Guitar
Jon Miller – Bass
Alex Lee – Guitar
Davier Pérez – Drums

Acclaimed heavy groove metal pioneers DEVILDRIVER are ready to usher in a new era of the band’s venerable history. Today, the group is excited to welcome back original bassist Jon Miller after more than a decade’s long absence from the scene! In addition to this epic reunion, DEVILDRIVER has also added guitarist Alex Lee (Holy Grail) to the lineup, replacing Neal Tiemann.       

DEVILDRIVER is also gearing up to head out on tour this fall, with more information coming very soon!

Remarking on his return to the band, Miller comments:           
“After spending the past 10 years away from writing music, recording, and touring, I have made the decision to return to DEVILDRIVER to settle some unfinished business with two lifelong friends.”

Frontman Dez Fafara comments on Miller’s return to the lineup, sharing:        
“Jon is a monster on bass and wrote much of our early material. We began talking daily and it just felt right… and having him onstage again will be absolutely pummeling technically and visually! For the fans that have seen the band with Jon in it, please welcome him back. And for those of you who haven’t, get ready because he holds it down! Having most of the OG members in the band now after almost 20 years feels good!     

“Get ready because we have a massive tour announcement coming in August! It’s been since July 2019 that we’ve toured, and the break was needed. The fire is there now and we are ready to destroy stages!”

Lead guitarist Mike Spreitzer adds:      
“It’s been a solid decade since I’ve shared the stage with Jon Miller, and I’m thrilled to have him back in DEVILDRIVER. Without him, I probably wouldn’t be in the band. He was one of the first friends I made when I moved to Santa Barbara in 1999 that eventually lead to me joining DEVILDRIVER. I’m very much looking forward to getting out on the road and having him with us again.”

Speaking on the departure of former bassist Diego ‘Ashes’ Ibarra, the members share:
Dez:“It’s always difficult letting guys go in any line of work, but we thank Ashes for his time playing with DEVILDRIVER on tour. I’m sad I had to let him go, but to make way for an original member was the right thing to do. We wish him the best and he’s a great guy.”

Mike:“Ashes has been an amazing addition to the DEVILDRIVER family over the years. He’s one of the most solid and fun guys I have ever had the honor to call my friend. I’m going to miss our 3-4 hour long morning coffee sessions that we shared since he joined. He will forever be my brother.”

Along with the return of Miller, DEVILDRIVER welcomes Alex Lee, who many will know from his time in the band Holy Grail! 

Speaking on his past encounters and shared comradery with the DEVILDRIVER family, Lee shares:       
“Back in 2016, I had the privilege of touring with DEVILDRIVER with my old band (Holy Grail). We got along great and kept in touch over the years. Fast forward to the present, I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be joining the DEVILDRIVER family! Dez made the final call to give me this opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. Great guys, heavy music, and I can’t wait to see you all on the road!”

Dez comments on Lee’s addition, saying:         
“Alex is a bad ass on guitar and one of the most talented guys I’ve seen in years. He gets along well with the band, he’s a great writer, and onstage he brings the energy. We welcome him and look forward to years of good times.” 

The latest album from DEVILDRIVER, Dealing With Demons I, was released via Napalm Records on October 2, 2020 to massive fan and critical acclaim, debuting at #4 on the US Current Hard Music Albums Chart alongside outlets like Blabbermouth stating, “…Dez Fafara keeps defying the odds and making face-removing metal records that, at their cudgeling best, really hurt. If the second half of this mammoth endeavor matches the first, this will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the DEVILDRIVER story.” Order your copy HERE.

Stay tuned for more news on the band’s upcoming touring and album release plans!   

Watch DEVILDRIVER’s latest music video for “Wishing” HERE:

DEVILDRIVER is:
Dez Fafara – Vocals
Mike Spreitzer – Guitar
Jon Miller – Bass
Alex Lee – Guitar
Austin D’Amond – Drums

Top-charting dark groove metal originators DEVILDRIVER will release part one of their highly-anticipated double album, Dealing With Demons I, on its new release date of October 2, 2020 via Napalm Records. Today, DEVILDRIVER continues to bestow fans with a steady stream of content leading up to the album’s impending release – following up on standout singles “Keep Away From Me”, “Iona” and “Nest Of Vipers” with their most heart-wrenchingly earnest offering to date, “Wishing”.

As Dealing With Demons I explores the purging of a different demon per track, “Wishing” illustrates the theme of loss – more specifically, wishing a loved one would return. The clean vocals sung on “Wishing” mark frontman Dez Fafara’s first in DEVILDRIVER history, harking back to his Goth roots. Influences of Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy and more can be heard in Dez’s brooding vocal delivery on the verses, while a heavy chorus punches with raw emotion as he screams, “wishing you were with me right now!”

The dreamlike official music video for “Wishing” – the band’s most surreal visual yet – places each member of DEVILDRIVER in a nightmarish state, trying to physically reach their loved ones just to have them disappear once they’ve nearly grasped them. Echoing the lyrical themes of the track itself, Dez and his bandmates experience this loss again and again down an eerie rabbit hole, surrounded by faceless beings and distorted imagery.

The footage seen in the “Wishing” video was filmed in separate locations by each band member, with social distancing practiced as a top priority. The finished product was directed by Vicente Cordero/Industrialism Films.

Watch the surreal official music video for “Wishing” HERE:

Dealing With Demons I marks the band’s first release of new, original material since 2016’s acclaimed Trust No One. This isn’t just the most vicious DEVILDRIVER material to date, but some of their most lethally memorable too. Produced and engineered by Steve Evetts with additional engineering from guitarist Mike Spreitzer, it’s a triumph of teamwork and tenacity. With new milestones like Dez Fafara’s eerie verses on “Wishing” and the frontman’s first co-authored lyric, Dealing With Demons I ferociously delivers the goods while kicking open several new doors for DEVILDRIVER to power through in the future. From the self-explanatory, explosive opener “Keep Away From Me” to the chilling imagery of “Iona” – both of which held DEVILDRIVER at #1 on the Metal Contraband charts for five weeks straight – this album is powerful evidence that Dez and his band mates have given DEVILDRIVER a volatile, visceral kick in the ass. Demons are getting dealt with in the harshest of manners.

Fans should be prepared for what is to come with the second volume of the double album, which promises to go even harder. This is a two-part acceleration into the future – after witnessing Dealing With Demons I, listeners will be clamoring for the second half!

Dealing With Demons I Tracklist:
1. Keep Away From Me
2. Vengeance Is Clear
3. Nest Of Vipers
4. Iona
5. Wishing
6. You Give Me A Reason To Drink (feat. Simon Blade Fafara)
7. Witches
8. Dealing With Demons
9. The Damned Don’t Cry
10. Scars Me Forever

Pre-Order Dealing With Demons I HERE