ALBUM REVIEW: The Act – The Devil Wears Prada

It’s been no secret that THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA were a band for the budding lovers of metalcore back in the late Myspace days. To the fans that have witnessed the inception of the band, it is clear to see the changes they have undergone since Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord. Each album has matured in sound, With Roots Above and Branches Below being the turning point for the band as it became a staple in their career. 2019 witnesses the band return after 2016’s Transit Blues with The Act.

When The Act is opened up with Switchblade, it should be noted that this is in no way a typical THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA metalcore album. It is instantly surrounded by influences and experiments from what the band have picked up from over their time as a band, and that already shows that this is a record of personal and collective growth. Lines of Your Hands follows suit, churning out sheer aggression and despair, and highlights many influences that sway towards hardcore.

Chemical moves away from this sound rather abruptly and vocalist Mike Hranica showcases his vocal abilities in a much cleaner way. The track allows him to work with more freedom to show that his talents are all-round, and that he can carry himself in a different etiquette than what we’ve seen before without losing any characteristic of that band. On top of that, Chemical provides an example that they’re hitting a level where they could hold a stadium in the palm of their hands if they maintain the natural progression that The Act has delivered.

Moving back into crushing blows is The Thread. With angst-filled vocals and guitar work that builds into something only described as overwhelming, it is the most dominant track on the album in terms of how powerful it comes across, both musically and emotionally. The Thread may be the most dominant, but following on with Isn’t It Strange is one of the most explored tracks that THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA have put out in a long while. Fuelled with a dark electro-pop vibe mixed with manic melodies, an uncomfortable yet mesmerising vocal path, solemn key and synth work, it just reeks of something unhinged and tainted with pain.

Continuing in similar fashion, Diamond Lost proceeds the album until the album closes with Spiderhead. Spiderhead induces a devastating blow, with double kicks, intense and raw vocals and riffs that grab you violently, forcing you to listen and feel this despair that rips through.

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA aren’t strangers to maturing their sound aforementioned, but The Act sees to be the biggest leap of faith that they have ever done and with all deserving recognition, they have blown it out of the water. Despite going down new paths, they have never lost who they are and what makes them THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. It takes a great deal of talent and a strong bond between one another to achieve that. The Act might be their seventh studio album, but it most certainly is just the beginning for this Ohio band.

Rating: 9/10

The Act is out now via Solid State Records. 

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