Razer- Dark Devotion Review
Posted by Dan Marsicano on 07.25.2011
Arizona hard rock group Razer have put out an expanded version of last year's Dark Devotion, featuring four bonus tracks and remastered. Is there enough to entice fans both old and new?
The Band
Chris Powers- Vocals
Jeromy Graves- Guitar
Paul Sullivan- Guitar
Chris Catero, Bass, Backing Vocals
Eric Bonglomo- Drums, Backing Vocals
The Track Listing
1. Do You Want It (3:05)
2. Superpaun (3:51)
3. What I Say (3:40)
4. Cold War (3:40)
5. Never Understand (4:12)
6. Dark Devotion (4:48)
7. Right Kind Of Evil (4:00)
8. Fall From Grace (4:35)
9. Frozen (4:37)
10. Falling In Line (4:38)
11. Save The World (3:27)
12. Cut And Paste (3:16)
13. The Broken (5:10)
14. When The Levee Breaks (5:30)
15. Every 1’s A Winner (4:00)
16. Frozen (Acoustic Version) (4:38)
The Review
In the music industry, there’s always a chance that a band’s album gets lost in the mix. Razer experienced this with last year’s Dark Devotion. The album found its following from devoted fans of SiriusXM Radio, which gave the album plenty of air time. Unlike others before them, Razer have been given a second chance at glory with a re-released version of Dark Devotion. Four bonus tracks and an improved mastering job make this a package tailored towards fans, both old and new.
Razer’s sound, which is a recipe of modern hard rock and ‘80s metal, is much tastier than many would expect. The band could fit in with other radio-friendly acts, but with an edgier core. The band shows no aversion to wicked guitar riffs and thrashy tempos. A common Razer tune is catchy, fast, and heavy as a brick. “Cold War” and “Cut and Paste” unload an offense of fast bass drumming and seething guitar leads. This hot-headed approach is one of the stand-out qualities about Dark Devotion.
This expanded version of the album is almost 70 minutes long, which is suited for a progressive rock record instead of a contemporary hard rock album. To the band’s advantage, there are few passable tracks. Variety is consistent enough to avoid any lulls in the album’s flow. “Falling In Line” leaves its mark with a savory chorus. “The Broken” and “Frozen” are the emotional ballads that do an admirable job of not lowering to cheesy acoustics and over-the-top crooning. The only time acoustics play a part is with the bonus version of “Frozen,” a fine display of a song going from electric to acoustic.
“Superpaun” Music Video
For a rock band to be successful, they can’t just have the songs. They have to acquire the right vocalist, a charismatic frontman who is impossible to get the spotlight off of. Chris Powers is that guy, a singer with influences from all genres, including blues and soul. His wails are gripping and he commands each song like a general leading his troops to the slaughter. Without Powers, and the epic twin guitar work of Jeromy Graves and Paul Sullivan, Razer wouldn’t be as distinct as they are on Dark Devotion.
The bonus material is just as much of a priority as the original 12 songs. Their cover of Led Zeppelin’s “When The Levee Breaks” doesn’t try to outdo the original, but gives it a current-day upgrade. The loud harmonica and fretless bass solos are present, as is the recognizable guitar shrieks. The soulful female vocals make “Every 1’s A Winner” more bluesy than the rest of the songs, and is a solid departure from the heavier pace of the other tunes. It’s a style the band should think about fleshing out on their next album.
Hopefully, there will be another release, as Dark Devotion is just as strong the second time around. It’s not everyday a rock album has no filler, and Razer accomplishes this improbable task. There isn’t anything here that will shock the music world, but few can go wrong with this many songs of good quality. Having an expanded version of Dark Devotion allows Razer to make a second impression, which has the potential to be much larger than the first go-around.
The 411: Catchy, aggressive hard rock with metal undertones is what Razer delivers on Dark Devotion. WIth 16 songs and almost 70 minutes long, Dark Devotion is certainly worth one's money based on those facts alone. However, the lack of any true filler should also be a welcoming sign for potential buyers. Don't expect a revolutionary sound or something that will make waves for years to come; just take solace in knowing that there is a rock band out there that can still put 16 songs on an album and make them all mean something.
