Devil's Dice - 'War Of Attrition' EP

(Independent)

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since I sang the praises of Devil’s Dice’s debut album ‘Libertarian’ but time flies and this EP marks a welcome return of the band. This EP is also a pre-cursor to a brand-new album so this release serves as blast to reignite interest in the band ahead of the long awaited second album hitting the airwaves. This EP is definitely worth checking out as only two of the included new originals will be featured on the upcoming album and the cover of Judas Priest’s ‘Hellion/Electric Eye’ is an EP exclusive.

The ‘War Of Attrition’ EP is a pure blast of ‘80’s inspired melodic metal with a slick and commercial production which makes this indie release sound extremely professional. The inclusion of a Judas Priest cover is not surprising as there are strong Judas Priest influences throughout the song writing and performances. Although vocally Dice frontman Matt Gore is very different to Priest’s Rob Halford. It’s not just Priest you hear in the mix of influences there are a bunch of more commercially flavoured NWOBHM bands you could cite as inspiring these songs too. If you’re a NWOBHM fan you’ll have fun cherry picking those bands out as you enjoy these songs.

Guitarists David Clark and Chris Webb deliver big chunky metallic riffs alongside melodic solo licks which really hark back to another time but never becoming lost in that retro vibe. The fist punching choruses are bound to have metalheads everywhere pounding the air in unison. This release may be short and sweet but it will definitely put a smile on anyone who is a proud member of the denim and leather club!

I really enjoyed some of the solo breaks and melodic licks which remind me of the sort of thing Iron Maiden do so well. The title track ‘War Of Attrition’ has a great solo break which emphasises the NWOBHM tone of the song. I think ‘Confessor’ with its fist pumping chorus and the stirring energy of ‘Red Light Rage’ will make them firm favourites live as they are sure to get crowds fired up! ‘Martyrs Of Crime’ is a melodic metal masterpiece with a smooth melodic chorus which opens with a stunning melodic solo lick which is just insane and as it’s repeated throughout the song it gets imbedded on your subconscious and will rattle around your skull unexpectedly for days to come!

I’m sure their cover of Judas Priest’s ‘Hellion/Electric Eye’ will become a setlist staple for the band, after listening to it those Priest influences seem more apparent in the songs that came before it.

I really enjoyed these new songs and its good to hear the band haven’t gone stale during the long gap between releases, with Gore sounding as powerful as ever (how he is not more well known beggars belief) and with highly entertaining and air guitar inspiring riffage from Clark and Webb showing the band are very much alive and kicking!

‘War Of Attrition’ serves as a really strong teaser of what’s to come for Devil’s Dice and it whets the appetite intensely! I’m sure most people will be keenly anticipating the new album after cranking this up! Melodic Metallers rejoice Devil’s Dice are back with a bang!

8/10

Essential Track – 'Martyr’s in Crime'

Review by Woody