The Re-Evolution Of DEVILSKIN With PAUL MARTIN

Interview by Kris Peters
New Zealand's finest exports Devilskin have epitomized everything
rock and metal ever since unleashing their debut album We Rise on
the world eleven years ago. Not only did their high energy and
infectious brand of metal resonate with hometown music lovers, but
it also quickly spread on a global level, resulting in the band
supporting and touring with established acts such as Slash and
Halestorm.
Such was the popularity of Devilskin following We Rise that the
band became the first New Zealand rock/metal outfit in 18 years to
go Platinum, equalling the effort of the mighty Shihad with the
album Killjoy. Over the years singles such as Never See The Light,
Little Pills, Start A Revolution, Endo and a cover of Heart's
classic, Barracuda, have highlighted the personal nature of
Devilskin's music as well as the sonic diversity at their
disposal.
Eleven years after the release of the groundbreaking We Rise,
Devilskin return with Re-Evolution, an album that has already been
credited with displaying just how far Devilskin have come in 15
years. This is a bold and dynamic perspective of Devilskin and
their continued growth plus the reinvention, and the re-evolution
of the band as songwriters and as artists.
With Re-Evolution dropping today, July 11, HEAVY spent some time
with bass player Paul Martin to dig deeper. We start by asking how
he is feeling with the release date finally here.
"It's good, man," he smiled. "It's like that painful bit where
you're in labour, and this beautiful product's about to pop out,
but at the moment it's like getting everything squeezed into the
right places and mailing everything out. Man, we've had so many
orders from all over the world, so I've been busy licking stamps
and sealing envelopes (laughs)."
We ask about two of the singles - Swelter, and Half Life of Dreams
- and if they are a good sonic representation of what to
expect.
"I think there's a little bit of everything on this album," Paul
measured. "I don't think there's two songs that are quite alike,
they're all kind of different in their own way. It's a glimpse into
what's on the album, definitely. With the whole album, we wanted to
be bold. We just wanted everything to be… we just wanted more of
everything."
In the full interview, we discussed Re-Evolution in greater detail,
including the title of the album, and it's significance to the
band. We spoke about the opening song, Red, and why it was chosen
as an introduction to the body of music plus Devilskin's growth in
their musical journey to date asnd how much growth is left in
them.
Talk also centred on how the new songs went down live on their
rTalk also centred on how the new songs went down live on their
recent New Zealand Tour, the guest parts from Nik Barker (12 Foot
Ninja) and Joe Hottinger (Halestorm) and what each brought to the
song, their recent People's Choice Award victory at the AMA Awards
and more.


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