It is not every day you get to interview someone who is a huge part of your youth. As a teenager, Coal Chamber was my favorite band, and Dez was the voice behind CC. DevilDriver came later, and it was the same familiar voice, but with a different musical style, though it still falls under the metal umbrella. DevilDriver has consistently put out albums since their start in 2002 and has evolved, yet has remained true to themselves. Strike and Kill is the upcoming album, out on July 10th, 2026, through Napalm Records, and it is a heavy, back-to-the-original-roots album that has breathed new life into the compositions.
DevilDriver is a household name for metalheads. They were even featured in the animated film Monsters University, which was wild to see as an older adult mother now. Dez Fafara (vocalist), Jon Miller (bass), Alex Lee (rhythm guitar), Davier Perez (drums), and Gabe Mangold (lead guitar) are the members behind Strike and Kill. Also, “Summoning Shadows,” the slower track on the album, opens with a quiet, acoustic beginning and maintains that breathy melody throughout. which starts off heavy and fast, then transitions to a beautiful acoustic guitar piece in the middle, just to jump back into the fast and brutal. Also, “Summoning Shadows,” the slower track on the album, opens with a quiet, acoustic beginning and maintains that breathy melody until a quicker-paced ending.
Dez was kind enough to sit down with Metal Nation to discuss this release and many other topics, including the paranormal and empathy.