Undertow Where Angels Dare Roam Life Goes On Kill Devil Hill

Undertow Album: Seas Of Oblivion (2023)
Where Angels Dare Roam Album: Revolution Rise (2014)
Life Goes On Album: Revolution Rise (2014)
by Kill Devil Hill

Bassist Rex Brown told Artist Direct the story of Where Angels Dare Roam. "We needed a heavy shuffle on there," he said. "Dewey (Bragg, vocals) came up with that melody. It hit him. He came into the car and brought that back overnight. It fit perfectly. It's epic."

"There aren't many bands doing that heavy shuffle feel," Brown continued. "Growing up in Texas, that heavy shuffle boogie is where I come from. It all comes from the old blues s--t. Everything comes from f--king old Delta blues anyway. We wanted to make it heavy."

Kill Devil Hill closed their Revolution Rise album with Life Goes On. Bassist Rex Brown told Artist Direct how the song came together. "'Life Goes On' started out as a heavy jam," he recalled. "Then, we got to the middle section where it gets into the progression part we thought would be a lead. I came up to the part where the bass goes up and went, "Man, we need some keys on that!" That became the end of the record."

It was the perfect way to end the record," Brown continued. "Keep listening to that song after it keeps rolling, and you'll be pleasantly surprised at what happens on the end of it. It starts out heavy and gets to the point where this band can go both ways. To me, it's really good songcraft. F--k what's hip or trendy. We're just Kill Devil Hill."

KILL DEVIL HILL was established in 2011 by former BLACK SABBATH and DIO drummer Vinny Appice and PANTERA bassist Rex Brown. After going through a few member changes, KILL DEVIL HILL's present lineup consists of Johnny Kelly (TYPE O NEGATIVE) on drums, Mark Zavon on guitar, Dewey Bragg on vocals and Matt Snell (ex-FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH) on bass.

Commented Kelly: "There was a little bit of a new direction in the songwriting. I'm sure it had to do with the different lineup. I tried to be more song-oriented in my approach to the songs. I think having Chris Collier producing played a big part as well."

Shortly after he left KILL DEVIL HILL in early 2014, Vinny said that the band's inability to gain significant traction with its music was a major factor in his decision. However, more recently, Vinny has suggested that he exited the group because he "couldn't deal with" the fact that some of his bandmates were consistently tardy for KILL DEVIL HILL activities by an hour and a half or even longer.

Asked to respond to Appice's comments and address the fact that the drummer's explanation for why he left the band appears to have evolved over time, Mark told "J-Bunny's Music Hub": "Well, both [of his stated reasons] are true. And he's right. And there was [tardiness]. Dewey, our singer, at the time, was kind of going through some hard times and some personal difficulties, and he did have a hard time showing up sometimes. And even when we were on tour, he was — I don't know, man — just having a little bit of trouble. He's a totally changed man now, and now he's the first guy, anywhere we go, he's the one telling us, 'Hey, man, we're gonna be late for soundcheck.' But in those days, yeah, it was a little harder to wrangle him. So Vinny was right. And Vinny, he doesn't really put up with that. He's a name guy — he's got a history and a reputation. He's a pro. He's a star. So you can't blame the guy for that. I certainly didn't. I was the first one there [for rehearsals and live shows], 'cause I was stoked to play with those guys. Are you kidding me? Vinny Appice and Rex Brown in a room, and I get to play guitar?"

He continued: "So, anyway, I wish it could have kept going, but sometimes things don't work out, and everything happens for a reason. So I try not to question it. We've got great guys in the band now, and everything happens for a reason. So I'm looking forward to putting out this new record and people hearing what we can do without those guys in the band."

Vinny, who had previously played with BLACK SABBATH, DIO and HEAVEN & HELL, left KILL DEVIL HILL in March 2014.

KILL DEVIL HILL released its sophomore album, "Revolution Rise", in October 2013 via Century Media Records.