DEVOID

Devoid
-One Voice-
Review By Kristie Allen
Spanning 11 tracks, “One Voice” has been filled to the brim with one intense hook after the other, all combined with lyrics that will leave any well-rounded metal fan satisfied. Devoid opens fast and heavy on "Start The Revolution", really riding hard riffs all the way through to last track “One Last Goodbye”. While grinding in a superb mix of vocals, backed by the excellent playing ability of the rest of the band the entire album shows Devoid’s talent to mesh their sounds together.
Devoid are set to release their long awaited album “One Voice” February 3rd at The Pyramid Cabaret.
http://www.devoidnoise.com
- BACKSTAGE WINNIPEG

DEVOID / NEEDLEFISH / TDH
Charleswood Hotel
Saturday July 17, 2004

"Over a year in the making. Month after month of rehearsals, only now to be unleashed. DEVOID has arrived. The coming together of four unique individuals has sparked a unique blend of metal that will surely take hold of the listener¹s senses and refuse to let go." This direct quote from the website of Winnipeg rock act, Devoid, speaks volumes louder than words.

I had my first glimpse at one of the newest local bands Saturday July 17, 2004, at the Charleswood Hotel, that proves rock n roll never dies, it simply reinvents itself. Devoid took the stage at 11:00 p.m. opening the stage to a night also featuring Needlefish and TDH.

My first thought, upon seeing the tiny stage situated near the entrance of"The Charley" was that there was no way any band could perform on a stage possibly the size of "The Albert's" and manage to make valuable use of any empty space. I was proven wrong when Devoid frontman, Chris Wood, led into the first song followed by bandmates Steve Morovek (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), Ed Kosa (drums), and Trevor Harper (bass).

Chris Wood, the former long-haired frontman of now-defunct Winnipeg act Acid Splash, showed confidence and experience while talking to the audience. It was a refreshing change to listen to someone who has professional training and can hold a note throughout an entire set.

The stage presence of Devoid commands attention while the band launched through original material featuring thundering bass lines, funk-induced drumming and guitar solo¹s reminiscent of the late 80¹s. I remember questioning the last time I had the pleasure of seeing a band actually play more than four chords on guitar while Morovek¹s powerful rhythm¹s cut through a mix that was surprisingly clean considering the small venue¹s size.

The Charleswood Hotel has featured many local bands in the past two months and the club was nearly full as Devoid concluded their set with an almost flawless version of Creeping Death from Metallica. The dual harmony guitar part was perfect while Harper and Kosa provided an ominous compliment to the other musicians.

Devoid is an energetic band that has a chance to continue to grow while building a strong local following. The original music is heavy with a dark mood that sets the group apart from other local talent as solid backing vocals and harmonies allow the music to have a current sound.

Needlefish was the second band on the bill and had a late start prompting for a shortened set. They played several songs from their forthcoming disc while ploughing through early material with the debut of a new drummer.

Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to see TDH as the show ran late.



Jason Bekiaris
bekiaris@shaw.ca
- JASON BEKARIS

Devoid at The Zoo, January 19th/05

By: Kristie Allen

The fists and feet went flying Friday night. No, it wasn’t a biker rally, or “Jerry Springer” taping, but another one of Winnipeg’s increasingly popular shows, by Devoid. There aren’t too many bands around who you can call “a super band” but Devoid is definitely one of them. When these boys took the stage, I didn’t know what to expect; as you really don’t see a lot of men with long hair and leather pants these days that don’t “cheese it up”. But when the band took the stage, they commanded the audience’s attention, and it is what they got.

Performing a rather unique hybrid of nu-metal and 80’s rock, down tuned guitars, a heavy bass-driven attack, I was pleasantly surprised.

Chris Wood’s vocals are extremely soulful and aggressive. Backed by Steve Morovek’s intricate lead-work to hard-rocking riffs, I knew I was in for one helluva show.

The interplay of Trevor Harper’s crunchy bass groove and Ed Kosa’s solid drumming, bring this progressive power metal band together.

Devoid’s music is a tapestry of driving, irresistible buildups, climaxing into explosive, triumphant passages. I found it impossible not to be swept up in the sheer energy and exuberance of their music. (And I wasn’t the only one at this show, who felt it too.)

The catchy riffs, the fast, intense drumming accompanied by an energetic stage show made it a perfect evening.

Will I go see these guys again? Hell ya, and I’ll wear my leather pants too!

- BACKSTAGE WINNIPEG

DEVOID “Demo”

"Demo" is the debut release from Winnipeg band; Devoid and I have anxiously waited reviewing this CD recorded at Vambo Studios by Mike of XengineX fame.
When you think of local artists or any disc recorded in a Winnipeg studio, you often get the sense that you will be treated to the same muddy sound and poor production that plagues most local acts. That is not the case with the first release, “Demo” from Devoid.
There are not enough words to describe this release as it is near perfect. Drummer Ed Kosa has created a sound better than any percussion I have heard come out of any local studio. The snare is crisp and cuts through the mix as the tom rolls bounce from left to right and add fullness to the sound. The bass guitar, from Trevor Harper, has an incredible tone with enough pop or slap for any bass enthusiast and the dual guitar work from Chris Wood and Steve Morovek is nothing shy of frantic and impressive.
What makes this disc stand above other local artists is front man, Chris Wood. I have been a fan of Wood’s earlier work with Winnipeg act, Acid Splash, and have anxiously awaited hearing new material, which comes in the form of Devoid. The wait was worth it as his vocal range has improved and the CD is aggressive yet heavy with a wide range of harmonies.
“Fine Line Broken,” “I Change My Skin,” and “Something Wicked” are not the typical songs found on any release as each track offers something new and you will find yourself mesmerized by the impressive musicianship.
This is, hands down, the BEST CD released in Winnipeg in the last many years and the production cannot be touched. I encourage you to pick it up and support local talent, as you will not be disappointed. The songwriting is strong and the groove throughout each track is amazing. The plain black and white packaging still serves its purpose as it is a ‘demo’ and while the CD has only three songs, you will find yourself wanting more.

http://www.devoidnoise.com 5 out of 5 Stars
- J-SIN-BACKSTAGE WINNIPEG

"these boys are very good at what they do, and the music is awesome and pro sounding."

Don Joyce
TALENT PROMOTER COMPANY - QUOTE

Nicely Done...........
For this one, in this genre. I'll point out the obvious to start. The production and engineering are superb. This is very much a band that sounds expierienced, with much depth, and understanding of the guidelines in writing music for todays age. Nicely constructed songs, with clean transitions, from the verses to the chourses, with melodic breakdowns, finely tuned and well writen. Good Job Boys.
- rick jameson-metal energy

Taking it to the next level,
Local hard-rock outfit Devoid has gone from just-for-fun project to full-fledged band

Talk about the song that never ends. In early 2004, the members of local hard- rock act Devoid got together to bust out a few riffs and down a few beers, but that jovial jam session went long. Now the band is set to release its second album, A Murder of Crows, this Saturday at The Zoo.

"I guess you could call us seasoned veterans," drummer Ed Kosa says, referring to the fact that he and his bandmates Chris Wood (vocals, lead guitar), Steve Morovek (rhythm guitar) and Trevor Harper (bass) are all in their late 30s. "We thought we'll just get a band going and maybe do some covers, throw in some originals here and there, and do a show two or three times a year just for fun. We never once thought we'd ever be on our second record and have 25 originals in the books."

With around 100 gigs and a few tours under Devoid's belt, this just-for-fun project has taken on a life of its own.

"If you get off on your own sound, I think it really helps generate a lot of enthusiasm and passion to do something more," Kosa says. "You get together and start jamming some covers and it sounds all right, but then somebody comes up with a riff here and a riff there, and all of a sudden you're writing songs.

"It's tough, though. All four of us have full-time jobs and kids and a ton of commitments, as many as you can possibly have, but if you like something enough, you do what you've got to do to make it happen."

Devoid made A Murder of Crows happen with John Turner at Phoenix Sound studio. Kosa believes the band has matured musically since its last effort, calling the new disc "more in your face, but also more diverse.

"There is stuff on it that's almost Pantera-esque and then there's stuff that you could put on one of the Tool albums. There's a pretty wide range on it," Kosa says.

Speaking of Pantera, Kosa says the band has a few tricks up its sleeve for the CD release, including a Cowboys from Hell cover. Devoid often throws Walk into the mix, but Kosa promises a different tune this time around. Will it be Domination? Mouth of War? I'm Broken? You'll have to attend the CD release party to find out.

- jared story uptown magazine

Devoid
Running on tequila, breaded veal & borrowed time

By DARRYL STERDAN

Last Updated: 23rd April 2009, 2:14am
Email Story Print Size A A A Report Typo Share with:
Facebook Digg Del.icio.us Google Stumble Upon Newsvine Reddit Technorati Feed Me Yahoo Simpy Squidoo Spurl Blogmarks Netvouz Scuttle Sitejot + What are these? Musical trends come and go, but metal never dies. I've never been able to figure out why -- maybe it's because the power-chord guitars and thundering drums and screaming vocals strike a primal chord in our souls. Or maybe it's just because the kids like their music loud and their T-shirts black. Whatever the reason, this week's profilees Devoid are as metal as they come. Don't take my word for it; read for yourself -- then hear the real deal this Saturday night at The Zoo, where they'll be throwing a release party for their new CD A Murder of Crows and shooting a live DVD. Hey, just because their music strikes a primal chord doesn't mean they can't multi-task.

- Who's in the band?

Chris, lead vocals and lead guitar; Ed, backing vocals and drums; Steve, rhythm guitar; Trevor, bass guitar.

- Give us the history of the band in 20 words or less.

Chris quit his last band, called a bunch of friends, nobody thought it would work, it did, now we make music.

- Describe your music and/or sound in 20 words or less.

Old Metallica marries Godsmack, has an affair with Pantera, but breaks it off because of a drug problem with harmony and melody.

- Describe your look and/or image in 20 words or less.

We often look like we just rolled out of bed and spilled spaghetti sauce on our shirts.

- Tell us about your latest CD or upcoming gig in 20 words or less.

Saturday April 25 at The Zoo. The release of our new album A Murder of Crows and live DVD shoot.

- Why should we buy your CD or come to your gig?

Well ... why not?

- If you're so great, tell us this: How does your music make the world a better place?

When we play, the U.S. terror level drops from orange to yellow. We make the world a safer place.

- What's your most original quality?

The fact that we have never jumped on a trend or followed what other bands do. It is also the reason nobody likes us.

- What's your motto?

Order the pizza, for tomorrow that store might be closed.

- Complete this sentence: This band runs on ...

Creativity, tequila, breaded veal and borrowed time.

- What's your best song and what makes it so good?

People who have heard the new album say it is a song called Deliverance. It has all the awesomeness of a hoedown with none of the actual country music.

- What's your worst song and what the heck were you thinking when you wrote it?

No comment. Safe to say we've written more garbage than keepers, like most bands.

- Name an album you wish you had written and tell us why:

Master of Puppets, because there is a good chance we would be famous now.

- What is your most valued possession? And where do you keep it?

We have a pile of $100 bills that we keep neatly piled on a table in the porch of our jam house. It's there all year long. It inspires us when we walk by it.

- What kind of food would you like named after you? And what would be the ingredients? Aside from ham, of course.

It would have to be a sub sandwich that had breaded veal and tequila.

- Name your favourite local musical acts (not including yourself).

X-Engine-X and Dreadnaut.

- Now, name your favourite musical acts of all time (again, not including you).

That would be impossible.

- Who would you be insulted to be compared to?

Anyone trendy.

- Tell us about your best gig to date.

We had a tour closer in Regina last year that was pretty wild.

- Now tell us about your worst gig.

The Roxy in Saskatoon. We drove eight hours to get there and played for one person and a waitress.

- OK, now describe your ultimate fantasy gig. Don't hold anything back.

Wembley Stadium. It's sold out and the whole band is there watching AC/DC open for Led Zeppelin, while a second stage has Metallica and Pantera. I wouldn't even care if were playing or not.

- What's the best part of performing and/or touring?

Being locked in a van with your best friends, seeing the country and playing music.

- What's the worst part of performing and/or touring?

In Canada, it's the drives between the venues.

- What are your pre-show rituals, superstitions and good luck charms?

We get in a circle with our crew and drink shots of tequila.

- What's the coolest piece of merch you sell?

We have affordable and extremely comfy shirts and tuques.

- What piece of merch would you love to sell -- condoms, coffins, dog biscuits, jewel-encrusted scimitars, what?

We would love to sell thong panties with our Devoid logo on the front. For some reason we find that funny.

- What is your current mode of transportation to and from gigs?

Vans and trailers.

- How would you like to travel from gig to gig? Dream big.

Ideally, a Lear jet -- but it just doesn't seem practical.

- Name one thing you want to do before you die.

Put out a third album.

- What's the dumbest thing you've ever done? Come on, we won't tell anybody.

We went a little rock star on a hotel room in Revelstoke. This isn't circulated there, is it?

- OK, then, fair is fair -- what's the smartest thing you've ever done?

Cleaned up the next morning.

- Who would you like to hit with a pie? And what kind of pie would it be?

I would like Pamela Anderson to hit me with a booby pie.

- Pretend I'm a heckler at your next gig. I yell "You suck!" and throw an ice cube at you. What do you do?

Steve runs off the stage crying, and Chris has to go after him to console him -- not sure what Trev and Ed would do.

- Complete this sentence: I'll know I'm a success when ...

This interview gets printed.

- Now complete this sentence: I'll know I'm a failure when ...

Nobody mentions our CD release.

- What would it take to make you give up music? Not that we're suggesting anything.

A booby pie from Pammy.

- winnipeg sun

One Voice
Devoid
indie
2007

From the Sounds of Metallica and Godsmack, Devoid has created an album that makes a noise that everyone should listen to.
After only listening to the first two songs on the album I was immediately hooked on the album. This is the first album in a while that I have listened to that I didn’t flip through the songs on first listen I sat down and listened to the entire album without skipping a song. This album is full of 11 songs that I am sure if you have a listen you will not be able to skip through any of the songs.

What impresses me the most about the album is the polished sound that comes out of my speakers. The finished product sounds like it has a million dollar production cost attached to it. So there must be a kudos sent out to Devoid and the Production team on this album. The members of Devoid are Chris Wood on Vocals and Lead Guitar, Steve Morovek on Rhythm Guitar and Backing Vocals, Trevor Harper, on Bass Guitar and Backup Vocals and Ed Kosa on Skins and backing vocals.

“Start The Revolution” is the first song off of One Voice. Right from the start of the song and the album Devoid sets the tone for the album (Rock Hard in your face). At the start of the song it starts of with a heavy whisper saying “Revolution” but what I like the best about the starting is the tone of the last “Revolution” and how it lasts about fifteen seconds. I really like the vocals in this song, the vocals always seem to be at the right tone and sound throughout the song. I find that it really helps to express the song and brings the song up to a higher level. I say this because sometimes bands seem to get over egocentric with the vocals and they don’t match with the instruments and sometimes ruin the song for me, but in Devoid’s case they pull out the song perfectly. Another particle of the song that I like is the sound of the double foot pedal sound on the base drum.

“Godless” starts off with an awesome in your face heavy riff. The opening of the song is a perfect example of Metallica Meets Godsmack. The song has a nice deep bass sound to it, with a light acoustic sound mixed into the song. The deepness of the bass sounds and fits perfectly for the song. Like most of the songs on this album it is the vocals are what really stand out in this track. At the end of the song Ed lets loose on the drums to finish out the song.

The fifth track on the album is the title track “One Voice”. Devoid has done one hell of a nice job making sure that when you hear the first five seconds of their songs you are hooked on listening the song through because this song you have no chance/choice in changing the song your listening to the song through to the end. I really like how the lead guitar really takes off and does a mild manner shred throughout the song, while the bass and drums keep with each other and play at the same tempo. The lyrics that are spoken and whispered I found was a nice added touch to the song, to me it adds character to the song.I also found that the album art was blended in really well with this song because the picture on the page is derived from the lyrics in the song. I just find that a lot of bands don’t put that kind of thought all that often when it comes to the book inside the cd case.

Matt Hartwick
m.hartwick@partyinkingston.com

- Matt Hartwick-party in kingston

Devoid

Just because they’re almost old enough to be your dad doesn’t mean the guys in Devoid don’t rock.

“We like to call ourselves ‘seasoned veterans,’” drummer Ed Kosa, 38, said by phone last Saturday morning before going to his son’s football game. “For us, music is a passion.”

Together since 2004, Kosa and his bandmates – singer/guitarist Chris Wood, bassist Trevor Harper and guitarist Steve Morovek – have embarked on several mini-tours and are closing in on 100 gigs. Not bad for a band that started with the intention of just jamming on cover tunes on the weekends and maybe playing the occasional show.

“To be honest, none of us ever thought we would end up doing a tour and putting a CD together,” Kosa said, “or even writing enough material to make a CD.”

The CD in question is One Voice, which the band released last year. While it may share a name with a song by local folk trio The Wailin’ Jennys, that’s where the similarities end. One Voice is 40+ minutes of punishing, Pantera-style metal.

The quartet plans to record the follow-up in late January, with a release tentatively planned for spring. After that, the plan is to tour whenever schedules filled with work and family (each band member has two kids) allows.

A tour of Western Canada this past April took them to nine cities for 12 shows in 16 days, and Kosa is looking forward to doing it again.

“It’s all about being onstage and performing,” he said. “That’s really where the satisfaction comes in.

“For all of us, this is definitely the [most fun] band that we’ve all been in.”

Aaron Epps

See Devoid at Silverado’s Oct. 8. Visit www.devoidnoise.com.
- The Uniter