the Soda Shop review of "Fate is Your Muse" Devil To Pay’s ‘Fate Is Your Muse’ – Reviewed Written by Ian Gerber For The Soda Shop It’s a special treat for me to get to write about Devil To Pay’s newest record. They are important band in my musical lexicon. If it wasn’t for these long-haired headbangers, I’m not so sure that the term ‘stoner rock’ would have entered my reality the way that it did. After following the band for the last decade, I’m incredibly stoked that this Indianapolis, Indiana four piece riff machine has found a home to release their fourth record, Fate Is Your Muse, on Ripple Music. The CD is due out April 9 with a vinyl release to follow. This four-headed fuzz outed stoner metal outfit has been at the forefront of the Midwest rock scene since their inception and it seems that they are poised to make that jump to a larger audience that may not have been possible for them while they were label-less. Since the beginning, DTP has been a force to reckon with in and out of the studio. Countless hours of rehearsals and shows have added to their calluses while building a dedicated fan base with high expectations of this now veteran band. I think it is more than safe to say that ‘Fate Is Your Muse’ is no exception to the standard. Once again, DTP holed up in Azmyth Studios to record. While their other records have sounded fantastic, this one seems to punch harder and carry a slightly more metal sound in the guitars, especially in the album’s opening number ‘Prepare To Die’. The classic, plodding DTP sound is still there on the majority of the album. The only numbers to really clock in faster than mid-tempo is the Motorhead inspired ‘This Train Won’t Start’, which kicks off side 2, and the song right after that, ‘Savonarola’. Particular standouts are the doomy as all can be ‘Yes Master’ and and ‘Prepare To Die’ which can boast a riff that is similar in experience to being kicked in the head repeatedly. ‘Fate Is Your Muse’ strikes me as being slightly more technical that their previous releases but really stands out on this record is Steve Janiak’s vocals. His voice has always set DTP apart from other bands with a similar musical sound. There really aren’t many singers who can carry the grit that the music requires without destroying the ambience that comes from a soulful crooner. More than anything, I’m a fan of the vocal melodies on the record. Maybe it has to do with the fact the vocals are crafted around more ‘metaphysical’ topics (like the purpose for our existence or what happens when we die) than the previous records, but Janiak is definitely digging in deeper to vocally convey his message this time around as opposed to performing the angry vocal gymnastics that came before ‘Fate Is Your Muse’. For the well-seasoned DTP fan, this record should come as no surprise in the awesome category. For those who are joining us after the slurry of press that came with their signing, welcome aboard and buy the other three records while you are at it. ‘Fate Is Your Muse’ is as good as any of the others to get into the bands groove. I hope that being on Ripple Music will provide the band the opportunity to spread the word and make a few more kick ass rock records over the next ten years.