ALBUM REVIEW: You Need This – DeeVer

In 2017, after writing and recording two well-received albums as part of highly-regarded classic rock outfit INGLORIOUS, Wil “Billy” Taylor decided to move on and form his own collective with a few of his old friends. Calling themselves DEEVER, and having spent the best part of two years putting together, and perfecting, a diversely-influenced modern hard rock sound, the North East England four-piece are ready to unleash You Need This, their debut album. Comprising of ten tracks, the band show a genuine love for soaring guitar riffs, groove-laden bass lines, and thunderous drum beats, resulting in a no-frills sound that perfectly balances pulsating intensity and infectious melody.

These days, it can be rather difficult to get somebody’s attention, especially in regards to younger generations, long enough for them to commit to listening to a full album, but it seems that DEEVER have had this in mind, as every one of the songs has an approximate running time of three-and-a-half minutes, and with opener Fire At Will, they do a great job of enticing listeners in with captivating hooks and anthemic choruses, which are nicely topped off by Taylor’s slightly gravelly vocal delivery.

The band also show that they are certainly not afraid to push the boundaries of their sound when the opportunities arise, for example, whereas tracks such as Alright, Back Down, and I Am The Cavalry have a vibe to them that is set deep in the realms of classic heavy rock, songs like Parachute, a more indie-pop-oriented affair which really does sound like some of U2’s recent work, the moshpit-friendly Only Enemy, and Jim, with its emotionally-tinged pop-punk-esque compositions, give concrete evidence that this is not going to be an average, run-of-the-mill offering.

The lyrical content also reflects the album’s diversity, with the subtly politically-charged All Come Running delivering a message that demons don’t have to be these grotesque-looking creatures that are seen in horror films, in fact, they most likely look and act exactly the same as an ordinary human being. In addition to this, Only Enemy gives a frank and hard-hitting commentary on how the modern generation are having their day-to-day lives affected by social media and the internet, and Jim sees Taylor literally pouring his heart out by giving an honest account of saying goodbye to his dying grandfather.

Overall, You Need This is a well-crafted collection of tracks that is the most effective showcase for DEEVER’s unrestricted approach towards sound and songwriting, as well as a keenness for attention to detail, and a varied range of musical influences, resulting in a release that is of much appeal to true fans of rock and metal, spanning from the young to the more seasoned, and what simply has to be one of the strongest debut albums, containing these genres, of recent years.

Rating: 8/10

You Need This is due for release February 1st via self-release. 

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