[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtv8wuZagIk[/youtube]
DevilDriver have always been one of Roadrunner Records’ heavier acts that consistently do well on the charts and have a strong following. According to frontman Dez Fafara, though, that title no longer applies to the band.
In an interview with Peek From The Pit prior to their show in New Orleans last Friday (March 16), Fafara revealed that DevilDriver are currently free agents and are looking for a new label home. You can watch the entire interview in the player above, but when asked whether the band was working on a new album, Fafara said the following [around the 3 minute mark]:
“We used to put a record every two years. I don’t think it’s gonna be that at this point. We are free agents right now, which means we’re talking to many record companies. It’s gonna be a very critical record for us, when it does come out, and we’re gonna take time to write it. I actually heard one track the other night that is incredible. We all started writing vocals to it right when we were sitting in the back [of the bus], so if it’s gonna stay on that route, I think it’s gonna be an incredible record.”
When asked to clarify whether the new album would be released by Roadrunner, Fafara stated “No, not in the U.S. I should say.” This move comes as somewhat of a surprise, especially given Fafara’s long relationship with Roadrunner (going back to Coal Chamber). And as we mentioned before, DevilDriver’s past five albums with the label have done considerably well, with 2011’s Beast selling only a little less than 2009’s Pray For Villains in its first week. It’s unclear as to what other labels DevilDriver are in talks with at the moment, though we have to imagine that many are showing interesting in signing them.
As the band ways out their label options while on the Metal Alliance Tour, bassist Aaron “Bubble” Patrick is recovering from his health scare. This past weekend, Patrick’s mother revealed that he’s been officially diagnosed with Streptococcus Pneumonia, which has caused damage to his liver, kidneys and bone marrow. Patrick is expected to remain in the hospital for a little longer, and will need more time to rest. His former Bury Your Dead bandmate Chris Towning will be filling in on bass during DevilDriver’s set on the Metal Alliance Tour. Our thoughts go out to Patrick and his family, and we hope he makes a full recovery soon.
