EPK – Devolver – Non Compos Mentis (2025)
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“We think it will be embraced by fans of our first album, but it’s a huge evolution of our sound. Our first album was a passion project for Devin, but this is what the five of us sound like collaborating as a unit. The razor-sharp production from Mark Lewis helped us push this thing over the edge, into something we think people will really grab onto. We want to give people the feeling we felt when we first heard our favourite bands, and the albums that made us fall in love with music.” – Devolver
For fans of In Flames, At The Gates, Soilwork, Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God
Band Title: Devolver
Album Title: Non Compos Mentis
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Symphonic
Album Length: 32:55
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“Devolver uses melodies, intensity, and a variety of vocalists to hook you, reeling you from song to song making this such a welcoming and comfortable listen. I don’t mean they’re “easy listening,” there heavy as f***, I mean there’s always something different, you’ll never get bored while diving into this debut.” – Vulture Hound
“If After The Burial and The Ghost Inside had a lovechild, it would be Devolver. These guys blew me away with how professional, well written, and how well structured they’ve presented themselves with their SelfTitled record. Each song has its own personality, while still maintaining a signature sound. The breakdowns are simple, yet effective in each song. There is dynamic tension and then well-needed release throughout the record, and it’s downright masterful. This album is captivating, and I recommend anyone that is a fan of metal to check this out.” – Bucketlist Music Reviews
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Band Title: Devolver
Album Title: Non Compos Mentis
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Symphonic
Track Listing:
1. Deathtouch – 3:55
2. New Blood – 3:14
3. Jewels of the Maw – 3:30
4. Wraiths – 3:20
5. At Any Cost – 3:40
6. Non Compos Mentis – 3:53
7. Merciless Storm – 3:56
8. Suffocating Syndrome – 3:36
9. Dehumanize – 3:47
Album Length: 32:55
Album Credits:
– All songs performed by: Devolver
– All songs written by: Devolver
– Produced, Mixed, Mastered by: Mark Lewis
– Album Artwork by: Travis Smith
– SOCAN members
Band Lineup:
Chris Brown – Vocals
Devin Babcock – Guitar (lead)
Jayde Penner – Guitar (rhythm)
Bevin Booth – Drums
Jaylen Elias – Bass
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About The Album Artwork:
We worked with Travis Smith on this album, which we were super excited about. We worked closely with him on the concept, with the art being a great interpretation of the story of the title track, Non Compos Mentis. This track is about the true story of Amos Babcock, the ancestor of our guitarist Devin Babcock. The artwork features a shadowed and bloodied Amos, in the snow with a shovel, after he murdered his sister in a fit of religious frenzy. He committed this horrific act in front of his family, including his nine children, represented by the eyes in the background. He proceeded to desecrate the body and attempted to hide the evidence by burying her in a snowbank not far from his home. This insane, true story is just so striking and disturbing, we had fun going back and forth with Travis, making something that felt like a powerful representation. Travis is an incredible artist whose portfolio is legendary. He’s done some of the most iconic album artworks for bands like Opeth, Megadeth, and countless others, so we’re honoured to have a piece of art that sits among that caliber of work. He knocked it out of the park.
About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
We’ve built a tracklist that we feel is truly driving, musically and lyrically compelling, and engrossing the whole way through. Our goal was to put together a body of work that when you start at track one, you can’t put down until it’s over, and we’re very proud of this record.
Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
1. Deathtouch
Deathtouch is fast fast-paced, melodic, and heavy track with a big hook chorus both musically and vocally. Lyrically, it addresses the inescapable fear of loss, defeat, and death, and learning to overcome those challenges and fears.
2. New Blood
New Blood is a start-to-finish no-quit song with a lot of riffs and a lot of leads. Sure to be a favorite of guitar players. Talks about the thoughts of leaving your old life behind to find and start a new one, even if it is the life of a vampire.
3. Jewels of the Maw
Jewels of the maw is a thrashy yet groove-oriented song which takes turns you might not expect, but are sure to suck you in. This one is based on all the many themes in the novel Bluebeard by Kurt Vonnegut, condensing themes of genocide, generational trauma, survivor’s syndrome, and the importance and value of the creation and appreciation of art as part of the human experience
4. Wraiths
Wraiths is a groovy, straightforward track with a big chorus, with some thrash hints and a hint of classic rock/metal. This one digs into interesting spiritual themes of alchemy and speaking with animals as a conduit to communicate with dead loved ones.
5. At Any Cost
This song was originally written for my and Jaylen’s old band. Devin and Jayde reworked it and planned on using it for a future album, but when Mark heard the reworked demo, he pushed for it to be on this album. We further rewrote in the studio with Mark while tracking it. The song really came alive when Bevin and Mark pushed the drums in a different direction than mine and Devin’s demo. It got faster and heavier and became the ripper it is today. Statement about the true cost of conflict.
6. Non Compos Mentis
Non Compos is a dark-themed themed slower banger that has symphonic elements and sludgy riffs. Lyrically, the darkest song on the album, the title track (and album artwork), is a true Canadian Heritage Minute, based on the true story of our guitarist Devin Babcock’s ancestor, Amos Babcock. In Shediac, New Brunswick, in 1805, Amos murdered his sister in a fit of religious frenzy, with his family of nine children as onlookers. He tried to hide her body in a snowbank, but was arrested, tried, and hanged for his crime after being pronounced “Non Compos Mentis” and hanged for his crime. He was only the 3rd man to be convicted of murder in the history of New Brunswick.
7. Merciless Storm
This wasn’t supposed to be a serious song when I started writing the demo. I was trying to write the most obnoxious, slammy, heavy riff I could think of. The groovy solo riff was originally the verse of the song, and the chorus was a very basic version of what it is now. Devin spiced up the rhythm guitars for the second half of choruses 2 and 3, and I wrote leads over top that really took the song to the next level. We made the slammy riff the verse with some tweaks to spice it up. While in the studio, Mark thought the song needed something big before the solo, so I wrote the breakdown riff on the spot, and the song was complete. Devin wrote one of his most insane solos on this one with the craziest horsey squeal. Unrelenting force and the horrors brought in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
8. Suffocating Syndrome
I pulled some inspiration from Psycroptic for the verse riff of this one. The structure is fairly simple with each riff changing slightly each time it comes back. The melodic chorus is a really cool contrast to the heavy, noodly nature of the rest of the track, and I think features some of Chris’s best vocal work. The song culminates in a huge soaring chorus at the end with a super tasty solo mixed in, then comes crashing to an insane, chaotic ending that will surely leave some soiled pants. This song went through the fewest rewrites in the studio. Discusses the themes of mental illness, with topics of dementia, split personality, and the loss of self-identity.
9. Dehumanize
Dehumanize is our take on melodic thrash metal. It’s a fast-paced song through and through, only taking a slight break to catch our breath. Tells the story of a mass production robot gaining consciousness, only to realize they are destroying the world. With this realization, it knows the only hope for humanity is the complete destruction of all the robots to rebuild the world. This song discusses the feelings and themes of being an automated drone in the workforce and society, and asks the question: What is your purpose?
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FUN FACTS – STORY ANGLES:
1. We recorded this album with producer Mark Lewis (Trivium, Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel, so many more), going all in on the quality of this thing and truly making the best, most powerful album we were capable of. We flew him up here to stay with us for the recording process, but we also travelled to record drums and guitar solos in his studio in Nashville
2. We worked with legendary artist Travis Smith on the album art. (Opeth, Megadeth, Death, Avenged Sevenfold, and more)
3. The title track (and album artwork) is a true Canadian Heritage Minute, based on the true story of our guitarist Devin Babcock’s ancestor, Amos Babcock. In Shediac, New Brunswick, in 1805, Amos murdered his sister in a fit of religious frenzy, with his family of nine children as onlookers. He tried to hide her body in a snowbank, but was arrested, tried, and hanged for his crime after being pronounced “Non Compos Mentis” and hanged for his crime. He was only the 3rd man to be convicted of murder in the history of New Brunswick.
4. We’ve collaborated with a local craft brewery (Grain Bin Brewing) here in our hometown of Grande Prairie, Alberta, to brew a beer of our own design to commemorate the release of our new album. A blackberry & blood orange pale ale named “Brews of the Maw” (a pun on our song “Jewels of the Maw”), we’re super excited about this partnership.
5. As Magic: The Gathering fans, we couldn’t help ourselves but put some references in the album and lyrics, even going so far as to name a song Deathtouch.
6. We try not to take ourselves too seriously and just try to have fun with our music videos. The video for our single Merciless Storm features a hot dog-eating contest and the unholy creation of a disgusting hot dog smoothie.
L-R: Jayde Penner (guitar), Bevin Booth (drums), Jaylen Elias (bass), Devin Babcock (guitar), Chris Brown (vocals)
Photo Credit – Heidi Robertson
Hailing from Grande Prairie, Canada, Devolver’s particular brand of metal can be described as “Gothenburg worship meets NWOAHM”. Formed by guitarist Devin Babcock and drummer/producer Bevin Booth, and later rounded out by guitarist Jayde Penner, vocalist Chris Brown, and bassist Jaylen Elias, Devolver blends groovy metalcore and melodic death metal, creating a unique sound that appeals to fans of modern metal genres while embracing their old school influences. With their forthcoming heavy-hitting new album in tow, produced by Mark Lewis (The Black Dahlia Murder, Trivium, Whitechapel), they are ready to make waves both in Canada and internationally.
Discography:
Non Compos Mentis (album) – 2025
Unscathed (single) – 2020
A Life Lost (single) – 2017
Devolver (album) – 2016
Shared Stage with: Protest The Hero, Bat Sabbath (Cancer Bats), Arrival of Autumn, Carcosa, Angelmaker, Neck of the Woods, Kelevra, Eye of Horus, Snakepit
Tours and Festivals:
2022 – Loud As Hell
2023 – Big Bad West Tour (with Widow’s Peak and Snakepit)
2024 – Alberta tour (with Kelevra)
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