Devil Master
{{Short description|US musical group}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = group_or_band
| name = Devil Master
| image = Devil Master.jpg
| image_size =
| image_upright =
| landscape = yes
| alt =
| caption = Devil Master performing live in 2024
| alias =
| origin = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Black metal|deathrock}}
| discography =
| years_active = 2015–present
| label = Relapse, Bat Magick
| spinoffs = Scarab
| spinoff_of = {{hlist|Cape of Bats|Low Charge|Slutlust}}
| current_members =
- Francis Kano
- John Hayes
- Max Hammel
- Sean Lafferty
| past_members =
- Cassidy McGinley
- Max Gordon
- Zach "Del" Worshim
| website =
| module =
| module2 =
| module3 =
}}
Devil Master is an American rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2015 through a shared interest in Japanese hardcore, the band embrace the style's influence while also prominently merging black metal and deathrock. They have released two studio albums, two demos and a live album.
History
Devil Master was formed in late 2015 by Francis Kano and John Hayes in order to explore their shared interest in early Japanese hardcore. Hayes then recruited vocalist Max Hammel, whom he had played alongside in the band Slutlust, while Kano recruited bassist Cassidy McGinley, whom he played with in Cape of Bats, and keyboard player Max Gordon, who he played with in Low Charge. Gordon in turned involved Zach "Del" Worshim in the group. The band released their debut self-titled demo on October 27, 2016, through Grim Winds Records, which sold all 100 physical cassette tape versions.
On October 30, 2017, they released their second demo Inhabit The Corpse, which too sold all its physical copies. On September 18, 2018, a music video for the demo's song "Obscene Charade" was released, edited by Dwid Hellion. On the same day, the band announced they had signed to Relapse Records, and that their two demos would be released on vinyl as the Manifestations compilation album.{{cite web |title=PHILADELPHIA’S DEVIL MASTER SIGN WITH RELAPSE RECORDS; MANIFESTATIONS COMPILATION DUE IN NOVEMBER |url=https://bravewords.com/news/philadelphias-devil-master-sign-with-relapse-records-manifestations-compilation-due-in-november |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=4 December 2024}}
On January 8, 2019, the band released the single "Desperate Shadow", and announced it would be a part of their debut album Satan Spits on Children of Light. The album's second single "Black Flame Candle" was released on February 5, 2019,{{cite web |last1=Bellino |first1=Emily |title=Watch: Devil Master Share Video for "Black Flame Candle" |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/02/05/watch-devil-master-share-video-for-black-flame-candle/ |website=Decibel |access-date=4 December 2024}} and its third single "Her Thirsty Whip" was released on February 26.{{cite web |last1=ROSENBERG |first1=AXL |title=Devil Master’s Whip is Thirsty |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2019/02/26/devil-masters-whip-is-thirsty/ |website=MetalSucks |access-date=10 December 2024}} The album being officially released on March 1.{{cite web |title=DEVIL MASTER ANNOUNCE DEBUT LP OUT MARCH 1ST VIA RELAPSE RECORDS |url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/devil-master-announce-debut-lp-march-1st/ |access-date=4 December 2024}} Between May 1 and June 3, they toured the United States, supporting Skeletonwitch, alongside Soft Kill, Martyrdöd, Wiegedood and Portrayal of Guilt. Between September 27 and October 25, they toured the United States and Canada supporting Obituary alongside Abbath and Midnight.{{cite web |title=OBITUARY LAUNCH ANIMATED VIDEO TRAILER FOR UPCOMING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH ABBATH, MIDNIGHT, DEVIL MASTER |url=https://bravewords.com/news/obituary-launch-animated-video-trailer-for-upcoming-north-american-tour-with-abbath-midnight-devil-master |access-date=16 December 2024}} Between November 7 and December 7, they toured the United States and Canada supporting High on Fire and Power Trip, alongside Creeping Death.{{cite web |last1=Pasbani |first1=Robert |title=HIGH ON FIRE, POWER TRIP Announce Fall 2019 Tour with DEVIL MASTER, CREEPING DEATH |url=https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/high-on-fire-power-trip-announce-fall-2019-tour-with-devil-master-creeping-death |access-date=16 December 2024}}
On March 8, 2022, the band released the single "Acid Black Mass", as well as announced that they had hired drummer and keyboardist Chris Ulsh, a member of Power Trip.{{cite web |last1=Hadusek |first1=Jon |title=Devil Master Announce New Album, Unveil Video for "Acid Black Mass": Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2022/03/devil-master-ecstasies-of-never-ending-night/ |website=Consequence |access-date=4 December 2024}} On March 29, 2022 "The Vigour Of Evil", they released the single "The Vigour Of Evil", accompanied by a music video directed by Hayden Hall.{{cite web |last1=BREIHAN |first1=TOM |title=Devil Master – "The Vigour Of Evil" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2181465/devil-master-the-vigour-of-evil/music/ |access-date=10 December 2024}} The singles were included as a part of the band's second album Ecstasies of Never Ending Night, released on April 29, 2022.{{cite web |title=DEVIL MASTER RELEASE ECSTASIES OF NEVER ENDING NIGHT ALBUM; FULL AUDIO STREAM AVAILABLE |url=https://bravewords.com/news/devil-master-release-ecstasies-of-never-ending-night-album-full-audio-stream-available |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=10 December 2024}} Between May 29 and 23 July 2022, they headlined a tour of the United States and Canada. This was followed by a three dates supporting My Chemical Romance: August 29 in Philadelphia, September 27 in Houston and September 28 in Dallas.{{cite web |title=DEVIL MASTER ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINING SUMMER TOUR |url=https://bravewords.com/news/devil-master-announce-north-american-headlining-summer-tour |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=16 December 2024}} From April 12 to 24, they headlined a tour of Europe with support from Lamp of Murmuur.{{cite web |title=Devil Master - To Tour Europe With Lamp Of Murmuur |url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=48920 |access-date=16 December 2024}} Between October 31 and December 3, 2023, they headlined a tour of the United States and Canada, with support from Fuming Mouth and Final Gasp.{{cite web |title=Devil Master announce fall tour |url=https://www.treblezine.com/devil-master-announce-fall-tour/ |access-date=16 December 2024}}
On January 8, 2024, the band announced they had launched their own record label Bat Magick Records, releasing the band's live cassette Vile Twisted Magick Process and the debut self-titled EP by drummer Sean Lafferty's band Glorious Decent the same day.{{cite web |last1=MOORE |first1=THERON |title=NEWS: DEVIL MASTER MEMBERS LAUNCH BAT MAGICK RECORD LABEL |url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/news-devil-master-members-launch-bat-magick-record-label/ |access-date=10 December 2024}} From April 8 to 20, they toured Europe supporting Cult Leader.{{cite web |last1=SCYTHE |first1=MANDY |title=Cult Leader Announce Spring European Tour for Next Year |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2023/12/21/cult-leader-announce-spring-european-tour-for-next-year/ |access-date=16 December 2024}} Between February 21 and March 18, 2025, they will tour the United States alongside Hulder, Necrofier and Worm.{{cite web |last1=Kennelty |first1=Greg |title=HULDER, WORM, DEVIL MASTER & NECROFIER Announce Blackened US Tour |url=https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/hulder-worm-devil-master-necrofier-announce-blackened-us-tour |access-date=16 December 2024}}
Musical style and influences
Critics have categorized Devil Master's music as black metal{{cite web |last1=Frasier |first1=Sean |title=Album Review: Devil Master – "Satan Spits on Children of Light" |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/02/25/album-review-devil-master-satan-spits-on-children-of-light/ |website=Decibel |access-date=4 December 2024}} and deathrock.{{cite web |last1=G. S. |first1=Richter |title=DEVIL MASTER (LOUD GUITAR GOTH LIVES!) |url=https://toiletovhell.com/devil-master-loud-guitar-goth-lives/ |access-date=1 December 2024}}{{cite web |last1=TERICH |first1=JEFF |title=6 Essential New Metal Albums That Raise the Bar |url=https://www.treblezine.com/6-essential-new-metal-albums-that-raise-the-bar/ |access-date=1 December 2024}} Writers for Metal Injection and Decibel have use the term "vampunk" to reference their sound,{{cite web |title=Announcing the Decibel Magazine Tour 2024 Featuring HULDER, DEVIL MASTER, WORM and NECROFIER! |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2023/12/06/announcing-the-decibel-magazine-tour-2024-featuring-hulder-devil-master-worm-and-necrofier/ |website=Decibel |access-date=16 December 2024}} while MetalSucks editor-in-chief Emperor Rhombus calls them "sleaze-thrash",{{cite web |last1=RHOMBUS |first1=EMPEROR |title=Devil Master Are Opening for My Chemical Romance on Three Dates of Their Upcoming Tour |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/03/09/devil-master-are-opening-for-my-chemical-romance-on-three-dates-of-their-upcoming-tour/ |website=MetalSucks |access-date=16 December 2024}}{{cite web |last1=RHOMBUS |first1=EMPEROR |title=Devil Master’s 10 Best Cape-Wearing Bands of All Time |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/05/26/devil-masters-10-best-cape-wearing-bands-of-all-time/ |website=MetalSucks |access-date=16 December 2024}} and BrooklynVegan and Metal Injection have used "blackened punk".{{cite web |last1=Sacher |first1=Andrew |title=Skeletonwitch touring with Soft Kill, Wiegedood, Portrayal of Guilt, more |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/skeletonwitch-touring-with-soft-kill-wiegedood-portrayal-of-guilt-more/ |access-date=16 December 2024}}{{cite web |title=FRIDAYBLACK FRIDAY: DEVIL MASTER Conjures Blackened Punk and Death Rock Manifestations |url=https://metalinjection.net/av/black-friday/devil-master-manifestations |access-date=16 December 2024}} They often incorporate elements of glam metal, burning spirits, anarcho-punk,{{cite web |last1=Gentile |first1=John |title=Devil Master Inhabit the Corpse [EP] (2017) |url=https://www.punknews.org/review/15984/devil-master-inhabit-the-corpse-ep |access-date=10 December 2024}} crust punk, glam rock,{{cite web |last1=Krovatin |first1=Chris |title=8 American Black Thrash Bands Keeping Evil Alive In 2019 |url=https://www.kerrang.com/8-american-black-thrash-bands-keeping-evil-alive-in-2019 |website=Kerrang! |access-date=1 December 2024}} punk rock,{{cite web |last1=Hickman |first1=Langdon |title=Album Review: Devil Master’s Satan Spits on Children of Light is a Punk-Fueled Black Metal Romp |url=https://consequence.net/2019/03/album-review-devil-master-satan-spits-on-children-of-light/ |website=Consequence |access-date=10 December 2024}} post-punk, San Diego emo, the new wave of British heavy metal,{{cite web |last1=Stewart-Panko |first1=Kevin |title=Album Review: DEVIL MASTER Ecstasies Of Never Ending Night |url=https://metalinjection.net/reviews/album-review-devil-master-ecstasies-of-never-ending-night |access-date=1 December 2024}} Japanese hardcore, thrash metal, death metal and D-beat.{{cite web |last1=Gentile |first1=Joseph |title=Devil Master Are Metal’s Most Life-Affirming Satanists |url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/devil-master-interview |website=Bandcamp Daily |access-date=1 December 2024}} Writer G.S. Richter described them as "an intoxicating brew that sounds like first-era Christian Death caught in mid-lycanthropic transformation into Sabbat." Treble magazine writer Jeff Terich stated their sound is "As much hardcore as they are metal, and as much metal as they are goth and death-rock".{{cite web |last1=TERICH |first1=JEFF |title=Shadow of the Horns: Hell bent for leather |url=https://www.treblezine.com/shadow-of-the-horns-judas-priest-hell-bent-for-leather/ |access-date=1 December 2024}}
They make use of tongue-in-cheek pseudonyms, imagery and themes referencing those of black metal,{{cite web |last1=P |first1=Radu |title=Devil Master - Ecstasies Of Never Ending Night review |url=https://metalstorm.net/pub/review.php?review_id=17716&page=1 |access-date=10 December 2024}} while members also acknowledge their own beliefs in Satanism and practice of chaos magic.{{cite web |last1=CHAPSTICK |first1=KELSEY |title=HEAR RISING BLACK-METAL PUNKS DEVIL MASTER'S VENOMOUS NEW SONG "DESPERATE SHADOW" |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-rising-black-metal-punks-devil-masters-venomous-new-song-desperate-shadow/ |website=Revolver |access-date=10 December 2024}}
They have cited musical influences including G.I.S.M., Zouo, Morbid, Mobs, Gastunk, Ghoul, the Execute,{{cite web |last1=Pearce |first1=Dutch |title=Inhabit the Corpse: An Interview (+Full Album Stream) with Devil Master |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2018/10/31/29258/ |website=Decibel |access-date=1 December 2024}} Christian Death, Bathory, Celtic Frost, Gorgoroth,{{cite web |last1=RHOMBUS |first1=EMPEROR |title=Devil Master Are None More Pink on "The Vigour of Evil" |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/04/01/devil-master-are-none-more-pink-on-the-vigour-of-evil/ |access-date=2 December 2024}} Mighty Sphincter,{{cite web |title=Watch Devil Master’s Her Thirsty Whip Visual + Interview |url=https://cvltnation.com/watch-devil-masters-her-thirsty-whip-visual-interview/ |access-date=16 December 2024}} Mayhem{{cite web |last1=APPLEFORD |first1=STEVE |title=PSYCHEDELIC VAMPIRES, JAPANESE HARDCORE: INSIDE THE TWISTED WORLD OF DEVIL MASTER |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/psychedelic-vampires-japanese-hardcore-inside-twisted-world-devil-master/ |website=Revolver |access-date=1 December 2024}} and Darby Crash of the Germs.{{cite web |last1=APPLEFORD |first1=STEVE |title=THE MAGICKAL REBIRTH OF DEVIL MASTER |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/magickal-rebirth-devil-master/ |website=Revolver |access-date=1 December 2024}} They have also cited the films of David Lynch, particularly Eraserhead (1977), Dario Argento, Kenneth Anger, Carnival of Souls and The Vampyr; the writings of Comte de Lautréamont, Charles Baudelaire and Arthur Rimbaud; as well as the soundtracks of Castlevania, Mega Man and Dark Souls as impactful.{{cite web |last1=Wohlberg |first1=Michael |last2=Lewis |first2=James |title=KILL SCREEN 028: DEVIL MASTER’s Infernal Moonlight Apparition Is in No Rush to Save the World |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2024/01/10/kill-screen-028-devil-masters-infernal-moonlight-apparition-is-in-no-rush-to-save-the-world/ |website=Decibel |access-date=16 December 2024}}
Members
Current
- Francis "Darkest Prince" Kano – guitar (2015–present)
- John "Hades Apparition" Hayes – guitar (2015–present)
- Max "Disembody Through Unparalleled Pleasure" Hammel – vocals (2015–present), bass (2020–present)
- Sean "Wrought by Fathomless Hands" Lafferty – drums (2023–present)
Former
- Cassidy "Spirit Mirror" McGinley – bass (2015–2020)
- Max "Dodder" Gordon – keyboard (2015–2020)
- Zach "Del" Worshim – drums (2015–2020)
- Chris "Festering Terror in Deepest Catacomb" Ulsh – drums, keyboard (2022–2023)
Discography
Albums
- Satan Spits on Children of Light (2019)
- Ecstasies of Never Ending Night (2022)
Demos
- Devil Master (2016)
- Inhabit The Corpse (2017)
Live
- Vile Twisted Magick Process (2024)
Compilations
- Manifestations (2018)