Heavy music rules at Patio
(excerpt from) Show Review from Nuvo Newsweekly by Steve Hammer
September 22, 2004
Honing their skills with one last hometown gig before heading on a three-week national tour, Devil To Pay put on a show full of heavy music and tunes designed to take the listener back to the days when Black Sabbath ruled the rock world.
The long-haired band mostly road-tested numbers from their debut CD, Thirty Pieces Of Silver, which recently saw a nationwide release. Stunners such as “The Lamb” and “Tractor Fuckin’ Trailer” were given intense workouts, with vocalist Steve Janiak meshing well with Rob Secrist’s heavy guitar work.
The secret weapon of the band is drummer Chad Prifogle, who provides a fierce, tribal sound without overplaying or overshadowing others. Purists can debate whether the band is more stoner rock or doom rock; the rest of us can be content with describing their sound as catchy, hook-heavy metal with a retro feel. Devil To Pay is the rare band that understands its strengths and plays to them without ever trying to be something they’re not. Their set was a worthy launch for their first true national tour.