Ready for something different? Speaking to both new and old DEADSOUL TRIBE fans, this record is definitely something different. Revisiting the world of Devon Graves, formerly known as ‘Buddy Lackey’ form the jaw-dropping prog metal band PSYCHOTIC WALTZ, another milestone has been reached. To long-time TRIBE fans, gone is the ‘tribal metal’ sound that dominated their first 4 releases as this latest disc finds Graves and company opting for a cleaner, more ‘traditional’ prog approach. These pieces show more emphasis on arrangement and flavor than ever before. Devon’s voice runs the spectrum from traditional whispers to all-out wails without overplaying his hand in deference to the composition, and therefore never losing the listener. The album is rife with acoustic parts, plenty of keys and even some horns thrown in. These songs are highly calculated, thinking-man’s metal without sounding like some kind of DREAM THEATER rip-off. The musicianship is second to none, including Devon’s trademark flute playing. I know, when you think flute, we all know where you are going. But this band has only a few things in common with the mighty TULL - namely musicianship, non-conventional song structures, and of course, the flute. DEADSOUL TRIBE has more in common with bands like OPETH, KING’S X, and even the heavier side of PETER GABRIEL, given the emotional and acoustic aspects of their songs. Compared to the earlier work from Graves in PSYCHOTIC WALTZ, this is darker, less chaotic, and more emotional than we have seen before.

Production-wise things are top notch - every aspect of the music is crystal clear. The mix can be a little confusing at times, with Devon’s vocals staying on the softer side of center, and the guitar as the focus of the mix (as opposed to up-front like so many other bands). The poetic lyrics give rise to interpretation by the listener, so the music has a chance to grow and change in meaning from one fan to another. This should ensure that the work will stand the test of time.

Highlights are “A Stairway to Nowhere”, clocking in at over 6 minutes. Atmosphere is top priority, garnished with tons of acoustic guitars, sounding like late 60s prog/psych with Peter Gabriel singing. “Fear” features lots of BEATLES / KING’S X vocal harmonies, but the album's strongest track is “Goodbye City Life”. Over the course of 8 minutes, the song is a constantly changing epic that brings all the elements of the band's uniqueness together in a single piece. For those seeking to explore the band's overall sound with one song - this is it. The heaviness that makes them so ‘metal’ and the softness of their ‘other’ side is all presented here. “Lullaby for the Devil” is a great record for DEADSOUL TRIBE fans, and a monster release in the prog-metal genre.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: www.deadsoultribe.com

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