Devil Got Five

Devil Got Five, another five-member ensemble, took the stage next. Fronted by a gothic-punk-looking woman wearing a Mr. Bungle T-shirt, the act played a set of songs weighed down by rhythms that were tad too busy and guitar tones that were often too trebly. Despite those shortcomings, the members clearly had their dynamics down. The music recalled Warlock with a better singer. The set opened with "Can't Abide," which at first sounded like one of those obnoxious metal songs that attempt to be epic but fail with too much ambition and too little imagination. That impression faded once Devil got warmed up. In all, Devil is a metal band at its best – fun, a little silly but knowing it, arch but not negative. Its music had energy, bite and good spirit. - Westword

This review is not for anyone who has seen Devil Got Five live in concert, 'cuz you all have already gone out and bought the CD. They kick ass, they know they kick ass, and so do all their fans. This self-titled CD, which was recorded at Rudy’s Studio, is another master stroke from producer Mark Obermeyer. It’s 10 songs of female-fronted rockin' Metal that is Gothy and Punky and hooky and sometimes sounds like the action theme from a modern medieval movie soundtrack, and other times like the songs spinning at one of Hell’s keggers. Cheers! For those of you who absolutely need the comparison band, it’s Lacuna Coil. For those who don’t need the comparison band, forget what I just said 'cuz Devil Got Five is their own beast. I think Eliza from DGF has a greater vocal range than Cristina from Lacuna Coil anyways. One last bit of kudos for Devil Got Five is I dig their devil horns on the headset logo, which is also the cover for their CD. Go check it out.

http://www.ColoradoMusicBuzz.com/Index.asp?LinkTo=A265 - Colorado Music Buzz Magazine

Devil Got Five
Devil Got Five
Self-released


By Tom Murphy
Published on October 13, 2009 at 11:30amThis debut album from Devil Got Five reveals that there's more to the band's songwriting than being couched in the realm of metal. The tastefully rapid changes of pace and melodic breakdowns in "This Is Now" sound like a melding of speed metal and a more progressive aesthetic. "Can't Abide" has a few odd moments where Eliza Rex's already powerful and commanding voice is treated with effects; otherwise, it's the standout track, with flawlessly shifting rhythms and a thrillingly defiant tone. In each song, it's obvious that the outfit worked hard to outgrow the awkwardness of its formative phase. Recalling Arch Enemy and Skunk Anansie, Devil Got Five displays a flair for creative dynamics and lyrics here that intelligently and sensitively articulate the passions of a raging heart.

http://www.westword.com/2009-10-15/music/devil-got-five/ - Westoword Magazine

Jake’s Metal Works
Devil Got 5
By Jake Ryan
Published: September 19, 2009

There’s something about seeing a band work hard for the recognition they get, earning every step they take up the ladder in the music scene, that makes you proud when both fans and the music community appreciate the art they create. One such band that has done this is Denver’s Devil Got 5. Though still fairly new to the scene, people have begun to recognize their talent and originality, and they have been rewarded with shows at some of the state’s most influential venues.

Devil Got 5, which includes Eliza (vocals), Jarrod (guitar), Matt (guitar), Tim (bass) and Heath (drums), was actually originally formed with the intentions of being a side project for the two guitarists, who were both in another band.

"Two guys in our old band started a side project, so (Matt and I) decided to do one, too," Jarrod says. "It turned out we liked our side project better than the old band."

More times than not, the main focal point of a music group is in the singer, and, luckily for Devil Got 5, they managed to land one of the scene’s most powerful female voices to head up their band. Eliza has the ability to sing both beautifully clean as well as gritty rock & roll styles. Coming from a band called Bloodlyne, she was asked to audition for Devil Got 5 after hearing her prior work.

"We heard these recordings of Eliza, and we liked her," Matt says. "So we hit her up."

Rather than just pick a random, nonsensical name, they instead chose one that is derived from another genre’s history: blues.

"Devil Got 5 comes from the old Robert Johnson thing, going down to the crossroads and selling your soul for music," Jarrod explains.

Anyone would be hard pressed to find another band creating the same sound as Devil Got 5, as they incorporate so many different styles into their music. They pull techniques from metal’s past, such as almost evil sounding harmonies and galloping rhythms, but add a more contemporary edge to it.

"There’s elements of classic in the music, but we’re also bringing the old into the new," Eliza says.

"We’re doing a more modernized version of the music we listened to," Jarrod adds.

They pull their influences from all over the board, rather than focusing on one genre in specific. For Devil Got 5, it comes from both musical groups and musicians in particular, ranging from Iron Maiden and Warlock to Mike Patton and Rush.

"Everyone comes from different areas," Matt says. "I lean more towards song writers who show music appreciation."

All of the mentioned directions and influences have molded Devil Got 5 into the band they are. In a state in which the vast majority of bands are extremely heavy, they somewhat go against the grain for a nice change of pace. This is another facet that makes this group a breath of fresh air and uniquely strong, with Jarrod saying it’s hard to find any other bands like them.

"We’re more of a melodic band with good, well-written rock and metal music," Eliza says.

Summer of 2009 brought forth the debut album from Devil Got 5, which has been well-received by both music fans and critics alike. Recorded by Mark Obermayer at Ruby Studio in Northglenn, the album took an exceptional amount of time to track. The band says this is attributed to the cost involved, which helped drag out the process.

"Everyone seemed surprised by the album," Jarrod says. "But anyone can find something they like on it."

The tracks featured on the album were the first songs the band wrote together, and after the recording, they began performing several new songs they had written live.

"Matt and I come up with riffs, and it goes from there. If I come in with a riff and they don’t really like it, we don’t use it. After the music comes together, Eliza comes in and makes everything sound good," Jarrod says jokingly, with Tim adding, "We’re all very open with each other and everyone’s input."

"Not one single person is responsible for the writing," Eliza says. "There’s no band Nazi."

While performing their music live, it gives the members of Devil Got 5 a sense of fulfillment that, otherwise, they might be able to achieve. They also have a sense of closeness which transcends what you normally see in most other bands.

"These are my best friends," Tim says, to which Matt adds, "Honestly, I probably spend more time with the band than I do with anyone else."

After their shows, Jarrod says he enjoys hearing what people have to say about the band, regardless of what it is.

"Its cool hearing different feedback, good or bad," he says.

And though they have many people congratulating them on their performances and telling them how much they enjoy their music, they have found a way to not let it go to their heads. This is key in remaining on the path you are on and not allowing ego to get in the way.

"You have to stay pretty humble, you know, not get a case of rock star syndrome," Eliza says. "We keep pretty down to earth."

One common problem mentioned by musicians in the local music scene is the lack of camaraderie between bands. This leads into what is referred to as the proverbial pissing contests that occur in the scene. And the members of Devil Got 5 are quick to talk about this problem.

"I would like to see musicians come together more," Eliza says. "We need people to help each other out and book smart. This helps the bands be more successful, and the bands and the people can both have a good time. It’s not a competition; we need to support each other. It’s not a situation where only one band wins the trophy."

"If one band makes it big, it helps every other band here out," Matt adds. "And it doesn’t help when a band finishes playing, then leaves and takes their crowd with them."

As for the future, they have set some very attainable goals. It isn’t the delusions of grandeur, but rather being smart about it and taking things one step at a time.

"We want to tour, starting with small scale tours," Eliza says. "And we’ll keep writing new, innovative material."

"I want us to get our name out there," Matt says. "I would like to make this my job. I don’t need to make millions, but it would be nice to be able to support myself off of it."

But their ending thoughts redirect back in a vein that demonstrates their ability to remain humble. As a band, Devil Got 5 didn’t have to start at the absolute bottom in the music scene, something they say they are extremely thankful for. They also show their thankfulness for how they have been received by the fans and their fellow bands, as well.

"We respect all of the talent that’s in this town," Tim says. "There’s so many good bands, and we’re glad to be a part of it."

http://www.coloradolocallegends.com/index.php?p=200909_03&PHPSESSID=eda3478ffbe79876c8c37c6cbb19c512 - Colorado Local Legends

Devil Got Five - Devil Got Five
By Molly McCowan
Judging by their name, it seems that Beelzebub has admitted this quintet through the fiery gates of Hell (which must have a section reserved for musicians, complete with regular electrocution-by-amplifier and a blindingly loud Britney Spears discography).
Devil Got Five’s self-titled debut definitely has its share of the compulsory fire-and-brimstone components. And with a female singer/songwriter, it has a spark of something different as well, calling to mind bands such as Evanescence, Lacuna Coil, and Nightwish. The question that the album brings up, however, is one of identity.
Some songs, like “This is Now” and “Can’t Abide,” blast straight into bone-crunchingly distorted instruments and operatic vocals. With no subtleties to play with, these songs become monotone and lose their flavor quickly.
Other songs, like “Thousand Razors” and “Price of Bleeding,” exist on a different spectrum, exhibiting well-balanced melodies and instrumentals, starting on the light side and sliding into a harsher sound without losing the musicality. These tracks work well because they tie together a hard-rockin’ sound with the musical aspects that make the songs varied and interesting.
Devil Got Five seems to be split between two distinctions: this band wants to be melodic and progressive, but they also want to be double-bass proud, distorted, and ultimately loud, which isn’t as appealing. The songs that balance both sets of qualities stand out on the album, and they’re the ones I want to hear more of the next time around.

http://www.scenemagazine.info/archive/cds/CD_Devil_Got_Five.html - Fort Collins Scene Magazine

KBPI reveals finalists for its Best Band In Denver competition
By Dave Herrera in Upbeats and BeatdownsWed., Oct. 7 2009 @ 5:43PM
?Moments ago, KBPI announced the finalist for its annual Best Band in Denver competition. According to Matt Need, who just revealed the contenders on the air, 17,000 people weighed in, with the top nominee receiving more than 2,000 votes. The top fifteen contenders, which are slated to face off each week for the next five weeks at Eck's Saloon, include Born in Winter, Bridges Left Burning, Dead Sea Armada, Devil Got Five, Forth Yeer (formerly Forth Yeer Freshman), Nemesys, No 1 Left Standing, Ploy for Extinction, Sins of Babylon, Spare the Legion, the Bitter Forgiven, the Threatened, Thic, To the Last Bullet and Vanadium. As a twist, last year's winner, 20XIII, automatically advances to the semi-finals and will compete against the first five week's winners. The Best Band in Denver competition kicks off this Saturday night at Eck's, when Born in Winter is pitted against Forth Yeer and Spare the Legion.

http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2009/10/kbpi_reveals_finalists_for_its.php - Westword magazine

Devil Got Five was selected by Mystagemusic.com as their featured Metal band for August 2009 - Mystage Music