Outlaws 'til the End: Vol. 1
DevilDriver · 2018
97 min · 18 tracks · melodic death metal
A heavy, gritty homage to outlaw country infusing metal's intensity with classic Americana storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ghost Riders in the Sky — This track exemplifies the album’s spirit, transforming a classic country narrative into a powerful metal anthem while preserving the original song's haunting atmosphere.
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Copperhead Road — DevilDriver reinvents this iconic song with aggressive instrumentation and passionate vocals, bridging country motifs with a heavy metal edge that energizes its narrative.
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A Country Boy Can Survive — The band’s rendition captures the essence of resilience in rural life, merging intense riffs with an unmistakable Americana vibe that resonates deeply with both genres’ fans.
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The Man Comes Around — This cover pays tribute to Johnny Cash's legacy while introducing a heavier sound, allowing listeners to experience the song's themes through a fresh and intense lens.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This album creatively blends metal and country but may not have lasting depth beyond its novelty.
What we noticed
- The album features heavy guitar riffs and aggressive drumming layered over traditional country melodies, creating a unique sound.
- Each track is a cover of a classic country song, reinterpreted with metal instrumentation and vocal delivery.
- The first half of the album maintains a high energy level, while the second half introduces slower tempos and more melodic elements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gritty storytelling with raw emotion
- late-night drives with friends
- nostalgic tales of rebellion
- sing-along choruses around campfires
- dynamic shifts from calm to
Maybe skip if you
- prefer polished, radio-friendly sounds
- seek purely instrumental experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Outlaws 'til the End: Vol. 1 marks DevilDriver's first foray into cover songs, showcasing a bold departure from their groove and melodic death metal roots. Released in July 2018, this album arrives after the band's previous studio release, Trust No One (2016), indicating a willingness to explore new sonic territories as they redefine their identity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lamb of God· Machine Head· All That Remains
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Ghost Riders in the Sky
Imagery shifts from serene landscapes to ominous cowboys chasing their fate evokes vivid tension throughout the verses.
This juxtaposition creates a stark contrast that magnifies the song's narrative of pursuit and consequence, enhancing its emotional weight.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Country Heroes 3:41
- 2 Whiskey River 3:40
- 3 Outlaw Man 3:31
- 4 Ghost Riders in the Sky 3:44
- 5 I’m the Only Hell Mama Ever Raised 3:10
- 6 If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me 3:52
- 7 The Man Comes Around 3:49
- 8 A Thousand Miles From Nowhere 4:26
- 9 Copperhead Road 3:35
- 10 Dad’s Gonna Kill Me 4:36
- 11 A Country Boy Can Survive 3:41
- 12 The Ride 3:50
Disc 2
- 1 A Country Record 12:09
- 2 Cash Cabin 6:43
- 3 Intro to Outlaw Country 11:41
- 4 Live 6:34
- 5 Lyrics 5:22
- 6 The Guests 9:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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