𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 — 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 (2007)

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

On this day (June 16) in 2007, DevilDriver released their third full-length studio album “The Last Kind Words” in the U.K. via Roadrunner Records (released in the United States on July 31, 2007).

The album debuted at No. 48 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 14,000 copies in its first week. "Clouds Over California" is available for playable download in the video game Rock Band.

Background:

The band reunited at Sonic Ranch Studios while they recorded their third studio effort, “The Last Kind Words”, which was released in June 2007.

The album's first single "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" was directed by Nathan Cox for free. Cox's career began when he created Coal Chamber's music video "Loco", so he re-paid a favor to Dez Fafara and the band. Cox has gone on to direct music videos for bands such as Linkin Park and Korn.

The first song to be previewed was "Horn of Betrayal" which debuted on Sirius Satellite's Hard Attack channel on May 16, 2007. “The Last Kind Words” also entered the German charts at No. 92.

Promotion:

DevilDriver promoted the album at the 2007 Download Festival at Donington Park.

DevilDriver played alongside headliners Linkin Park, Iron Maiden, and My Chemical Romance.

A Guinness world record was attempted by the band for the "largest circle pit" at the festival. Guinness responded to the query and denied the request stating they receive over 60,000 requests a year and there is no way to physically define where a circle pit starts and ends. They considered the proposal fully in the context of the subject area and stated that "our decision is final in this matter".

The band also appeared at 2007's Ozzfest.

Fafara had been planning to take his first six weeks off in 11 years, but Sharon Osbourne, who had managed Fafara's previous band Coal Chamber, persuaded him to appear.

More Tour Info:

DevilDriver also toured with Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God, and Soilwork on the "Clash Of The Metal Titans Tour 2007" and the "Invaluable Darkness Tour" with Dimmu Borgir and other special guests; Unearth and Kataklysm in 2007.

At a concert in Detroit, Michigan, a recording was made with the intention of releasing a live DVD in 2008 although this has yet to be released.

Critical Reception:

In his review for about.com, Chad Bowar stated;

“The songs on “The Last Kind Words” are brutal and intense, but with much more depth and intricacy. Guitarists Mike Spreitzer and Jeff Kendrick rise to the occasion with monster riffs, nifty solos, and outstanding teamwork and interplay. Undercurrents of melody ebb and flow over and around the extremity, making the songs even more memorable.”

While, I’m his review for AllMusic, Greg Prato said;

“The group is just as heavy and brutal as the average band you'd spot while scanning Headbanger's Ball, as evidenced by such toe-tapping ditties as "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" and "Bound by the Moon." But therein lies the problem (the same exact dilemma that befalls many a modern metal band of the early 21st century) -- there's not anything all that much different going on here when compared to all the other acts from the current metal crop. Nothing fancy -- just an Extreme Metal roar that hits you right between the eyes, which may have been DevilDriver's goal all along.”

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “The Last Kind Words” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-last-kind-words/260168575

Click this link to watch the official music video for “Not All Who Wander are Lost”: https://youtu.be/SHYK96uGirM

Click this link to follow DevilDriver on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devildriver

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells