Devildriver and their salt-of-the-earth meets fire-on-the-mountain front man Dez Fafara have been close to the heart of metal fans long enough to become something of an institution; as purveyors of power-groove death-metal and flag bearers of metal for positive empowerment. Theres a deep rumbling that sits brewing and burning slowly beneath the maelstrom. A groove hidden between the gravel that has become their calling card and nowhere is that better out on show than their sixth studio album Winter Kills. Maniacs killed some time with Dez Fafara!
Tell us about your latest album in your own words.
Its a groove heavy, big hook basher of a record! Each album we do has its own sound but our signature groove feel! Youll like this one!
Is the cover artwork for Winter Kills a reflection of the music on the album?
We needed the cover to reflect the desolate feel of the winter in the California desert.
This is your third album working with Mark Lewis. What makes you stick with a certain producer?
He knows how to get the best out of all the musicians as well as he knows how to keep our sound ours.
The new album feels even darker and groovier than your previous albums, was that a conscious decision?
We needed to get down to business on this one. Everything was organic in nature.
Are you a fan of horror or cult movies?
Yes! Love the original Universal Monsters, specially Dracula! Check out VIY (aka Viy/Viy, or Spirit of Evil (1967), its a Russian Fairy-tale.
If you were to put 6 tracks on a mix-tape, what would they be?
- HANK III
- SABBATH
- JOHNNY CASH
- BLACK FLAG
- GERMS
- KISS
Do you have any advice on surviving winter?
Warm Clothes!
What makes you a MANIAC?
“STAR WARS ! STAR TREK !! TOTAL SCI FI GEEK !!!!!”
Devildriver are a band not to miss at Soundwave 2014! Check out other interviews featured in the latest issue of the MANIACS Zine
