Merci Metallian \m/\m/ Août – Septembre 2025
Exitus Stratagem Records – Visitant, Devolver, Ancient Thrones, Doll, Night’s Edge
https://www.metallian.online/accueilpro
Category: Devolver
0 Merci Metallian \m/\m/ Août – Septembre 2025 Exitus Stratagem Records – Visitant, Devolver, Ancient Thrones, Doll, Night’s Edge
0 Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! \m/\m/ For the Week Ending: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 92.5 FM CFBX “the X” – Kamloops Loud – #2 Eternal Drak | CFUV 101.9 FM – Victoria Loud – #1 Ivy Gardens | CJSW Radio 90.9FM – Calgary Loud – #10 Crüzer | CFRU 93.3 FM – Guelph Top 30 – #30 Devolver | CFUV 101.9 FM – Victoria Top 30 – #7 Ivy Gardens | Smithers Community Radio CICK 93.9 – Smithers Top 30 – #14 Z-Cocoon
Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! \m/\m/
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
92.5 FM CFBX “the X” – Kamloops
Loud – #2 Eternal Drak
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfbx.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-10-07
=========================
CFUV 101.9 FM – Victoria
Loud – #1 Ivy Gardens
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfuv.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-10-07
=========================
CJSW Radio 90.9FM – Calgary
Loud – #10 Crüzer
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsw.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-10-07
=========================
CFRU 93.3 FM – Guelph
Top 30 – #30 Devolver
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfru.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-10-07
=========================
CFUV 101.9 FM – Victoria
Top 30 – #7 Ivy Gardens
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfuv.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-10-07
=========================
Smithers Community Radio CICK 93.9 – Smithers
Top 30 – #14 Z-Cocoon
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cick.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-10-07
0 Bun to Be Wild DEVOLVER Shreds in a Hot Dog Suit of Fury in New Playthrough “Merciless Storm” Off New Album “Non Compos Mentis”
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 9, 2025
Bun to Be Wild DEVOLVER Shreds in a Hot Dog Suit of Fury in New Playthrough “Merciless Storm”
New Album “Non Compos Mentis” Out Now!
Produced by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Trivium, DevilDriver, Black Dahlia Murder)
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L-R: Jayde Penner (guitar), Bevin Booth (drums), Jaylen Elias (bass), Devin Babcock (guitar), Chris Brown (vocals)
Photo Credit – Heidi Robertson
Canadian metal outfit Devolver has dropped a new playthrough video for “Merciless Storm,” a standout track from their latest album “Non Compos Mentis,” released August 22nd. The video showcases the band’s precision, intensity, and collaborative firepower, offering fans a raw look at the musicianship behind one of the album’s most punishing cuts, along with a comedic side to them.
The band explains further:
“Merciless Storm” began as a tongue-in-cheek experiment in heaviness, but quickly transformed into a full-fledged monster. With slam riffs, groovy solos, and a breakdown written on the spot in the studio, the track embodies the album’s ethos: unrelenting force and the emotional wreckage left in the wake of disaster. Jayde and Jaylen mustered up the courage to hot dog suit their way through the playthrough, delivering a performance that’s both relentless and razor-sharp. True to Devolver’s spirit, the band doesn’t take themselves too seriously and just aims to have fun with their videos. Devin’s solo, featuring a wild “horsey squeal,” cements the song as one of the band’s most technically daring.”
Watch the “Merciless Storm” playthrough video now and experience the storm for yourself via its premiere on TheCirclePit YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/RleEVAAsdl4
Formed in 2015 by guitarist Devin Babcock as a creative outlet for material outside his main project, Devolver has evolved into a five-piece force of nature. Their sound, described as “Gothenburg melodic death and 2000s metalcore,” has matured into a focused, aggressive, and massive sonic identity, thanks in part to the razor-sharp production of acclaimed producer Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Trivium, DevilDriver, Black Dahlia Murder).
Non Compos Mentis marks a major evolution for Devolver. Unlike their debut, which was written solely by Babcock, this album is the product of full-band collaboration. The result is a cohesive, emotionally resonant record that blends melody and brutality with surgical precision. From the haunting true-crime-inspired title track to the high-octane energy of “Merciless Storm,” the album is designed to be experienced front to back without pause.
The band also teamed up with legendary artist Travis Smith (Opeth, Avenged Sevenfold, Soilwork) for the album artwork, which depicts the chilling story of the 1805 murder of Amos Babcock’s sister in a religious frenzy, an ancestor of Devin Babcock. The art depicts Amos bloodied in the snow, surrounded by the ghostly eyes of his nine children.
Recommended for fans of In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Killswitch Engage, and As I Lay Dying, “Non Compos Mentis” is a bold leap forward, each track a chapter in a larger emotional and sonic narrative.
“Non Compos Mentis” is available at the following links:
Album order (released Aug 22nd) – https://devolvermusic.bandcamp.com/
Spotify for Playlist Add – https://open.spotify.com/album/3eeLxBrxx55QvIm3EnahLm
Music Video – Merciless Storm – https://youtu.be/o_6jcqK2qFQ
Lyric Video – Suffocating Syndrome – https://youtu.be/mmRskxYe1q4
|
|
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
More info: https://linktr.ee/devolverab
-30-
“The goal of Devolver through Non Compos Mentis has been to take the listener on a thoroughly pleasing journey from the first note to the final crushing moment. That’s been achieved, and so much more – as these Canadians understand how to compose songs and execute them in a highly convincing fashion that has this scribe grinning ear to ear – bringing the exciting sounds of the late 90s/early 2000s to a newer generation who desire more of this style. 9/10” – Dead Rhetoric
“For a group from a small northern city, every move has required deliberate effort—whether it was recruiting the right collaborators, waiting until circumstances lined up, or carrying material through years of delay. Non Compos Mentis is the document of that persistence: an album shaped by distance, disruption, and devotion to the sound that first made them want to pick up instruments.” – IDIOTEQ
“DEVOLVER is definitely ahead of the last releases of their great role models. On the one hand, because the Canadians work straight and without any frills, and on the other hand, because the melodies are all right without reducing the heaviness. When it comes to melodic death, there’s no way around this album this year. The only downside: 32 minutes is pretty short, even for such energy output!” – PowerMetal.de
“There is a sense of nostalgia listening to the guitarmonies throughout the album, calling back to the golden days of early 2000’s metalcore. Whether you’re a fan of death metal or metalcore, you’ll definitely find elements that you’ll appreciate on this album. Personally, my favourites are “Deathtouch” and “Suffocate Syndrome”” – False Chord
“Now we have Devolver with Non Compos Mentis. The sophomore album from this Canadian band is the perfect blend of melodeath and metalcore. Much like chocolate and peanut butter, this takes the best aspects of both genres, makes enough changes to feel authentic, and creates a sound that hits just as much in 2025 as it would have back in 2005. The production is brutal, but still audible and filled with layers. The songwriting shows off the capabilities of everyone in the band, but it doesn’t reveal all of its tricks. Overall, this is for anyone who enjoys everything from ’90s era In Flames to 2000 Soilwork to later 2000’s Lamb of God to the modern-day capabilities of what Melodeath and Metal Core are all about. This is a great trip back in time, but also a look forward to what can be done. This is excellent stuff.” – Heavy Debriefing
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook – Asher Media PR News
Instagram – AsherMedia
Tweet – AsherMedia
0 Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! \m/\m/ For the Week Ending: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 CFUV 101.9 MHz – Victoria – Loud #8 Ivy Gardens | CJLO 1690 kHz – Montreal – Loud #2 Ivy Gardens, #9 Devolver | CJSW 90.9 MHz – Calgary – Loud #2 Harvested | CJLO 1690 kHz – Montreal – Top 30 #20 Ivy Gardens | CFBX 92.5FM – Kamloops – Top 30 #27 Eternal Drak | CICK 93.9 – Smithers – Top 30 #12 Z-Cocoon
Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! \m/\m/
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
CFUV 101.9 MHz – Victoria – Loud
#8 Ivy Gardens
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfuv.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-09-23
=========================
CJLO 1690 kHz – Montreal – Loud
#2 Ivy Gardens, #9 Devolver
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjlo.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-09-23
=========================
CJSW 90.9 MHz – Calgary – Loud
#2 Harvested
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsw.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-09-23
=========================
CJLO 1690 kHz – Montreal – Top 30
#20 Ivy Gardens
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjlo.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-09-23
==========================
CFBX 92.5FM – Kamloops – Top 30
#27 Eternal Drak
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfbx.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-09-23
===========================
CICK 93.9 – Smithers – Top 30
#12 Z-Cocoon
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cick.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-09-23
0 Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay Love! For the Week Ending: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | CFRU 93.3 FM – Guelph Loud – #5 Ivy Gardens, #4 Devolver, #6 KRATORNAS | CFRC 101.9fm – Kingston Top 30 – # Ivy Gardens | CFUV 101.9 FM – Victoria Loud #9 Ivy Gardens | CJSW Radio 90.9 FM – Calgary | CJSW Radio 90.9 FM – Calgary Top 30 – #5 Harvested
Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay Love!
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
CFRU 93.3 FM – Guelph
Loud – #5 Ivy Gardens, #4 Devolver, #6 KRATORNAS
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfru.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-09-16
=======================
CFRC 101.9fm – Kingston
Top 30 – # Ivy Gardens
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfrc.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-09-16
=======================
CFUV 101.9 FM – Victoria
Loud #9 Ivy Gardens
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfuv.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-09-16
=======================
CJSW Radio 90.9 FM – Calgary
Loud # 1 Harvested, #7 Crüzer
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsw.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-09-16
=======================
CJSW Radio 90.9 FM – Calgary
Top 30 – #5 Harvested
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsw.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-09-16
0 Thanks for the airplay love Canadian DJs and MDs \m/\m/ For the Week Ending: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 CJLO – 1690AM – Montreal Loud – #2 Woodhawk – Love Finds a Way, #6 Ivy Gardens – Death of Don Valley | CJSW Radio 90.9 FM – Calgary Loud – #1 Harvested – Dysythymia, #4 Crüzer – Look to the Skies | CFRU 93.3 FM – Guelph Loud # 4 Devolver – Non Compos Mentis, #6 Ivy Gardens – Death of Don Valley | CFOU 89.1 MHz – Trois-Rivieres Loud – #5 Woodhawk – Love Finds a Way | CJSW Radio 90.9 FM – Calgary Top 30 – #3 Harvested – Dysthymia, #14 Woodhawk – Love Finds a Way | Local 107.3fm – Saint John Top 30 – #6 Harvested – Dysthymia
Thanks for the airplay love Canadian DJs and MDs \m/\m/
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
CJLO – 1690AM – Montreal
Loud – #2 Woodhawk – Love Finds a Way, #6 Ivy Gardens – Death of Don Valley
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjlo.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-09-09
===================
CJSW Radio 90.9 FM – Calgary
Loud – #1 Harvested – Dysythymia, #4 Crüzer – Look to the Skies
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsw.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-09-09
===================
CFRU 93.3 FM – Guelph
Loud # 4 Devolver – Non Compos Mentis, #6 Ivy Gardens – Death of Don Valley
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfru.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-09-09
===================
CFOU 89.1 MHz – Trois-Rivieres
Loud – #5 Woodhawk – Love Finds a Way
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfou.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-09-09
===================
CJSW Radio 90.9 FM – Calgary
Top 30 – #3 Harvested – Dysthymia, #14 Woodhawk – Love Finds a Way
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsw.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-09-09
===================
Local 107.3fm – Saint John
Top 30 – #6 Harvested – Dysthymia
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfmh.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-09-09
0 Canada’s DEVOLVER New Anime Video “Suffocating Syndrome” Off New Album “Non Compos Mentis” Produced by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Trivium, DevilDriver, Black Dahlia Murder)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – September 10, 2025
Canada’s DEVOLVER New Anime Video “Suffocating Syndrome” Off New Album “Non Compos Mentis”
Produced by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Trivium, DevilDriver, Black Dahlia Murder)
|
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L-R: Jayde Penner (guitar), Bevin Booth (drums), Jaylen Elias (bass), Devin Babcock (guitar), Chris Brown (vocals)
Grande Prairie, Canada’s Devolver continues its sonic assault with the release of a new anime video for the track “Suffocating Syndrome” taken from their sophomore album “Non Compos Mentis,” unleashed this past August. Produced by genre heavyweight Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Trivium, DevilDriver), “Non Compos Mentis” marks a seismic evolution in Devolver’s sound, melding Gothenburg-style melodic death metal with the raw intensity of early 2000s metalcore.
Unlike many tracks on the album, “Suffocating Syndrome” emerged with minimal rewrites in the studio, its raw intensity and emotional weight intact from the demo stage. The song explores themes of mental illness, delving into dementia, dissociative identity disorder, and the erosion of self-identity. It’s a sonic descent into psychological fragmentation, mirrored by the anime video’s surreal, fractured visuals.
Guitarist Jayde Penner shares:
“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.”
The anime video amplifies this emotional chaos, blending glitchy, hyper-detailed animation with disturbing symbolism, shattered mirrors, flickering identities, and collapsing landscapes that echo the song’s lyrical descent. It’s not just a visual companion; it’s a psychological echo chamber, capturing the disorientation and violence of a mind unraveling.
Watch and listen to the anime video for “Suffocating Syndrome” via its premiere on Space Untravel YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/mmRskxYe1q4
Formed in 2015 by guitarist Devin Babcock as a creative outlet for material that didn’t fit his previous band, Devolver has grown into a five-piece force of nature. With members also active in the local project Dog Poison, the band’s roots run deep in the underground scene.
“Non Compos Mentis” features a refined tracklist culled from over 20 demos, each song built collaboratively from riffs and skeletons crafted by guitarists Devin Babcock and Jayde Penner. The result is a relentless, emotionally charged journey that’s both technically precise and soulfully raw.
The haunting title track draws from a chilling true story: the 1805 murder of Amos Babcock’s sister in a religious frenzy, an ancestor of Devin Babcock. The album artwork, created by legendary metal illustrator Travis Smith (Opeth, Avenged Sevenfold, Soilwork), depicts Amos bloodied in the snow, surrounded by the ghostly eyes of his nine children.
“We think Non Compos Mentis will be embraced by fans of our first album; it’s a huge evolution of our sound. Our first album was a passion project for Devin, but this record 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 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,” adds the band.
Recommended for fans of In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Killswitch Engage, and As I Lay Dying, “Non Compos Mentis” is a bold leap forward, each track a chapter in a larger emotional and sonic narrative.
“Non Compos Mentis” is available at the following links:
Album order (released Aug 22nd) – https://devolvermusic.bandcamp.com/
Spotify for Playlist Add – https://open.spotify.com/album/3eeLxBrxx55QvIm3EnahLm
Music Video – Merciless Storm – https://youtu.be/o_6jcqK2qFQ
|
|
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
More info: https://linktr.ee/devolverab
-30-
“The goal of Devolver through Non Compos Mentis has been to take the listener on a thoroughly pleasing journey from the first note to the final crushing moment. That’s been achieved, and so much more – as these Canadians understand how to compose songs and execute them in a highly convincing fashion that has this scribe grinning ear to ear – bringing the exciting sounds of the late 90s/early 2000s to a newer generation who desire more of this style. 9/10” – Dead Rhetoric
“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
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
0 Out Now! Canada’s DEVOLVER Unveils New Album “Non Compos Mentis” Produced by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Trivium, DevilDriver, Black Dahlia Murder)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – August 22, 2025
Out Now! Canada’s DEVOLVER Unveils New Album “Non Compos Mentis”
Produced by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Trivium, DevilDriver, Black Dahlia Murder)
|
|
L-R: Jayde Penner (guitar), Bevin Booth (drums), Jaylen Elias (bass), Devin Babcock (guitar), Chris Brown (vocals)
Grande Prairie, Canada’s rising metal outfit Devolver, returns with a vengeance, announcing the release of their sophomore album, “Non Compos Mentis”, out August 22nd, 2025. Produced by genre heavyweight Mark Lewis, whose credits include Whitechapel, Trivium, and DevilDriver, the album marks a seismic evolution in Devolver’s sound, melding Gothenburg-style melodic death metal with the raw intensity of early 2000s metalcore.
Formed in 2015 by guitarist Devin Babcock as a creative outlet for material that didn’t fit his previous band, Devolver has grown into a five-piece force of nature. With members also active in the local project Dog Poison, the band’s roots run deep in the underground scene.
“Non Compos Mentis” is more than an album; it’s a visceral listening experience. The album features a refined tracklist culled from over 20 demos, each song built collaboratively from riffs and skeletons crafted by guitarists Devin Babcock and Jayde Penner, resulting in a relentless, emotionally charged journey that’s both technically precise and soulfully raw.
The album’s haunting title track, “Non Compos Mentis”, draws from a chilling true story: the 1805 murder of Amos Babcock’s sister in a religious frenzy, an ancestor of Devin Babcock. The artwork was created by legendary metal illustrator Travis Smith (Opeth, Avenged Sevenfold, Soilwork), depicting Amos bloodied in the snow, surrounded by the ghostly eyes of his nine children. It’s a visual as disturbing as the story it tells, and a testament to the band’s commitment to storytelling through music and art.
The band comments on the album’s release:
“We think Non Compos Mentis will be embraced by fans of our first album; it’s a huge evolution of our sound. Our first album was a passion project for Devin, but this record 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 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.”
With each track on the album as a chapter in a larger emotional and sonic narrative, Devolver‘s “Non Compos Mentis” represents a bold leap forward and is recommended for fans of Swedish melodic death metal and classic metalcore. Think the melodic brutality of In Flames and Dark Tranquillity, fused with the punch of Killswitch Engage and As I Lay Dying.
“Non Compos Mentis” is available at the following links:
Album order (out Aug 22nd) – https://devolvermusic.bandcamp.com/
Spotify for Playlist Add – https://open.spotify.com/album/3eeLxBrxx55QvIm3EnahLm
Music Video – Merciless Storm – https://youtu.be/o_6jcqK2qFQ
|
|
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
More info: https://linktr.ee/devolverab
-30-
“The goal of Devolver through Non Compos Mentis has been to take the listener on a thoroughly pleasing journey from the first note to the final crushing moment. That’s been achieved, and so much more – as these Canadians understand how to compose songs and execute them in a highly convincing fashion that has this scribe grinning ear to ear – bringing the exciting sounds of the late 90s/early 2000s to a newer generation who desire more of this style. 9/10” – Dead Rhetoric
“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
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
0 EPK – Devolver – Non Compos Mentis (2025)
EPK – Devolver – Non Compos Mentis (2025)
Publicist – Jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“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
Linktr.ee/devolverab | Facebook.com/DevolverMusic | Instagram.com/devolvermusic | YouTube.com/@devolvermusic2843
Devolvermusic.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music
“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)
0 DEVOLVER Pays Homage To Guitar Hero w/ New Video Single “New Blood” Off Forthcoming Sophomore Album Produced By Mark Lewis (The Black Dahlia Murder, Deicide, Devildriver, Whitechapel)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – December 5, 2023
DEVOLVER Pays Homage To Guitar Hero w/ New Video Single “New Blood”
Forthcoming Sophomore Album Produced By Mark Lewis (The Black Dahlia Murder, Deicide, Devildriver, Whitechapel)
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L-R – Jayde Penner (Rhythm Guitar), Jaylen Elias (Bass), Chris Brown (Vocals), Bevin Booth (Drums), Devin Babcock (Lead Guitar)
Following up their single “Jewels of the Maw” unleashed this past July just before their Western Canadian tour, Grande Prairie, Canada’s Devolver is unveiling their new track “New Blood”, which will be also featured on their forthcoming sophomore album produced with Mark Lewis (The Black Dahlia Murder, Deicide, Devildriver, Whitechapel).
For this new music video, the band wanted to do something fun and pay homage to one of the greatest musical video games “Guitar Hero”. The band explains further.
“We had someone make the Guitar Hero charts for New Blood and Jewels Of The Maw, so if you play Clone Hero on PC you can download and play our songs! About the song, it’s an amalgamation of riffs written in a single sitting whilst Devin was sitting on a staircase bullshitting with Bevin. It was quickly developed into a skeleton structure at which point Bevin wrote drums for the song. After a tweak to the chorus, the song was finished until lyrics were added and a solo was added after the first chorus per Mark Lewis’ suggestion. This song doesn’t sit down at all and goes right until it ends. With chugging riffs, interesting melodies, ripping solos, and a catchy yet memorable chorus, we feel “New Blood” is putting our best foot forward.”
The music video for “New Blood” can be seen and heard at https://youtu.be/1DKTAkwrSE4
Digital Single – https://hypeddit.com/devolver/newblood
Clone Hero Download – https://tinyurl.com/clone-hero
Melding a particular brand of metal, Devolver 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, wearing them on their sleeve. With a heavy-hitting new album in tow, and fueled by a passion that can only be understood by seeing their unbridled live performance, they are ready to make waves in Canadian and international metal scenes alike. The band explains:
“We think the new album will be exciting for any metal fans that hear it. It represents where we’re at as a band and as people. The music WE want to hear, and that we think others must be waiting for as well amongst new releases. Sounds that we’re not hearing anymore. The kinds of groovy and melodic sensibilities of our favourite bands that stylistically have fallen by the wayside in popular metal, but are very much due for a comeback. We want this album to turn some heads and call back to late 90s/00’s melodic death metal and metalcore while pushing forward with a razor-sharp sound. We think people will find it to be a breath of fresh air, that still reminds them of their favourite bands.”
The album release date is to be announced at a later date. Devolver is recommended for fans of In Flames, At The Gates, and Soilwork.
Previous single “Jewels of the Maw” at https://youtu.be/TAlnmggrfrI
More info: Facebook.com/DevolverMusic | Instagram.com/devolvermusic
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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
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