Germany based Daredevil Records know their business. No half-assed bands in their catalogue, let me tell you. Sweden's Sergej The Freak and Deville are no exceptions.
Sergej I have enjoyed solidly for some years now...creations like "A Land Called Jojotiro", "Crimson Atmosphere" and the split with Burning Engines have given me many a joyfull listens. On this split Sergej have evolved. The intensity and the high octane rock are still there but now the songs are more diverse and varying. Sergej do what they know best...deliver fat ass grooves with tight rhythms and awesome melodies. Niklas' voice is perfect for this kind of stoner, enhancing the groove perfectly. First two songs are in my opinion what one can expect from these guys, but then...then they give us the finger with a big smile. On "Goliath's Wrath" and especially "Shocker" the bomber-groove is fanfuckingtastic, ladies and gentlemen! Impossible to remain seated without hurting oneself. Next up is "Seth Killjoy"...again brilliant use of the heavy rock formula AND one hell of a sing-along at the end...really cool stuff. I get very pleasantly surprised by the soft "Time Is Mine", ending Sergej's part of this split. Beautiful, excellent acoustic passages with tasteful strings and piano....A sad, whaling voice...at times not at all unlike a healthy and strong Layne Staley (R.I.P), making this song one of the best I’ve heard this year.
Which brings me to Deville... Even though these gentlemen live about an hours horse ride from my house, I must honestly admit I had never heard of them. Well...now I have and be sure...once you've heard Deville you won't forget. When I hear the opener, "Hands Of Mine", I have to check if I accidentally didn't put on Josiah or Orange Sunshine. The guitar hooks are fabulous to say the least and once again on this split, I’m under a fierce groove attack. Having been together for some time now, I’m sure they present their fattest stuff to us. I can honestly say I wouldn't hesitate to put any of Deville's eight tracks out as singles. While the first two songs are 70's influenced, the following ones are more in the veins of latter era Queens Of The Stone Age. Songs like "From Below", "Devola" and "The Wreck That You Make" could have all been on "Lullabies To Paralyze", I shit you not. Easygoing, pleasurable creations with excellent riffage, perfect for just about any mood. I must admit I’m thoroughly impressed by Deville...and hearing the quality of their music, I’m convinced we will hear a lot more from this Malmoe based band.

www.sergejthefreak.com
www.deville.nu
www.daredevilrecords.de