The Devil Wears Prada – ZII (EP Review)

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Adam 'Ricey' Rice

The Devil Wears Prada – ZII EP
Released: May 21, 2021

Line-up:

Mike Hranica // Vocals
Jeremy DePoyster // Guitar & Vocals
Mason Nagy // Bass
Kyle Sipress // Guitar
Jonathan Gering // Keys & Synthesizers
Guiseppe Capolupo // Drums

Online:

Official Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

With the news of ZII hitting our ears on April 1st (April fools), the prospect of a sequel EP to the band’s most wildly successful and heaviest release, Zombie seemed too good to be true. When the rumours began coming to fruition, one question seemed to continuously pop up by eager fans, which was ‘can one of the greatest metalcore EP’s ever released be followed up by an equally impressive collection of songs?’ Well, that is why I’m here, to give you all the answers you need before the EP drops. Let’s assess.

Kicking off the EP is ‘Nightfall’. Chugging down-tuned guitars and low range vocals create a highly energetic fast-paced beginning to the EP. Regular changes in the song’s timing structure surprisingly creates an easy listening experience. This track is punchy and mosh inducing, particularly the breakdown at the track’s outro. This is simply a superb start to the release. Continuing with the same style as the previous tune, ‘Forlorn’ keeps the tempo fast, with high intensity drumming from Capolupo, consistent with double kicks throughout. The clean vocals of DePoyster add an exciting dynamic to the track which allows him to shine in the limelight.

We are then introduced to ‘Termination’ which gives us a stronger impression of Gering as his synths maintain their position at the track’s core. By no means does this mean that this track is slower or softer. The fast-paced, hard-hitting instrumentals complement the synths extremely well. Unclean vocalist Hranica is nothing short of a sensational mid-range vocalist who seemingly has no issue screaming on his lower range, especially towards the breakdown of this offering. ‘Nora‘ begins with slow, industrial-sounding synths which elude to beefy guitar riffs being quickly introduced. In its entirety, this has to be the EP’s slowest song, it is consistent with DePoyster’s monotone, unclean vocals and what seems like Capolupo’s hatred for hi-hats as he repeatedly beats it hard from beginning to end.

Concluding this release is ‘Contagion’ which has a lengthy, slow introduction that focuses on DePoyster’s clean vocals and he doesn’t miss the mark by any means. Low tuned guitars and double kicks are quickly re-introduced as we see this release out on a heavy note. The synthesisers are completely fulfilling as the track comes to a close.

This is not only a new era of the Zombie series but also a new era for The Devil Wears Prada. They have managed to revisit an old release and give it a high-quality sequel that not only follows on from Zombie I but also incorporates the band’s development as well as the genre’s evolution. There will always be those who diss every release, but I for one find this to be a fitting sequel that maintains the value the original EP’s music holds.