Reviews list for Devil Wears Prada, The - With Roots Above and Branches Below (2009)

Was there ever a time when someone says something that is a line from the song unaware that a few years later you would hear that exact same thing in a song? "What would it take for things to be quiet?!" (from "Louder Than Thunder") yelled my mom who can't stand loud metal music, when I was watching the music video for The Devil Wears Prada song "First Sight" on TV, 5 years before this review. I wasn't interested in metalcore back then even though that was a good song/video. And during my great transition to metalcore a couple years later, I wasn't into this band enough to fully listen to them. Now, reviewing one of their albums, these guys are certainly never quiet!

I'm sure other metalcore fans have heard of The Devil Wears Prada (named after the novel, NOT the movie, which was released a year after the band's formation) as well. They stormed through a couple albums before this one and extensive live performances such as the 2008 Warped Tour. Then they reached the third chapter of their tenure, With Roots Above and Branches Below!

The opening track "Sassafras" already tells you what they're going for in this album. The vocals range from metalcore screams to death growls. Guitar breakdowns are often accompanied by synthesized piano/violins. The drums keep changing from slow grinding to furious rolls, as the bass runs. And it has a melodic clean chorus, a first for the band! But that of course means more of that mundane verse/chorus structure they've never had before. For a witty song title like "I Hate Buffering", that song has killer guitar melodies for everyone (except my metal-hating mom) to enjoy. Another nonsensical title, "Assistant to the Regional Manager" (reference to The Office) is still a great metalcore mix of epic and extreme. "Dez Moines" is filled with moments singing and screaming alternating between each other every minute.

"Big Wiggly Style" might look like a rap song title, but thank the Lord it isn't. It's just your friendly neighborhood metalcore! The riffs in "Danger Wildman" are just wild, inspired by A Life Once Lost. "Ben Has a Kid" continues the singing/screaming alternation. "Wapakalypse" is another witty song title with the song mixing melody and brutality.

"Gimme Half" is once again half epic, half extreme. "Louder Than Thunder" is a rather ironic name for the song, not just because it's a melodic mellow ballad, but also I don't think even metal performances can be louder than thunder, and that's why (don't laugh) I'm scared of thunder. Still an interesting album highlight! After that soft ballad, "Lord Xenu" closes the album in epic heaviness.

With Roots Above and Branches Below is excellent and worth its place in any heavy fan's library. It's many Christian metalcore fans' love at first sight! (Note; My mom can tolerate metal much more now)

Favorites: "Sassafras", "Assistant to the Regional Manager", "Dez Moines", "Ben Has a Kid", "Louder Than Thunder", "Lord Xenu"