Devilskin is a four-piece alternative metal band from Hamilton, New Zealand, formed in June 2010. The band consists of lead vocalist Jennie Skulander, guitarist Tony "Nail" Vincent, bassist Paul Martin and drummer Nic Martin.[6]

Devilskin
Background information
OriginHamilton, New Zealand
Genres
Years active2010–present
Labels
  • Devilskin Ltd
  • Rhythm
  • DRM
  • Rodeostar (worldwide releases)
MembersJennie Skulander
Tony Vincent
Paul Martin
Nic Martin
Past membersRob McWhanell
Websitedevilskin.co.nz

Devilskin's debut album, We Rise was released on 11 July 2014 and peaked at #1 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart, and spent 47 weeks in the chart.[7][8] It was certified Platinum by Recorded Music NZ in March 2015.[9] The band's sophomore album, Be Like the River, was released on 11 November 2016 and also peaked at #1.

History

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Early years (2010–2013)

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Devilskin originated in Hamilton, New Zealand in 2010.[6] Founding member Paul Martin was going through bands that were sent to him to play on his The Axe Attack radio show and found a demo from a Rotorua band called Slipping Tongue, with member Jennie Skulander on vocals. Martin bumped into Skulander in Hamilton in 2010, moving there after the breakup of Slipping Tongue. After much persistence from Martin, they both agreed to form a band, enlisting Nail Vincent from Chuganaut (one of Hamilton's leading hard rock bands) and local drummer, Rob McWhanell, to play drums for the band. After a few shows, Rob was involved in a motorcycle accident and need to have an operation,[10] forcing Martin to "press-gang" his son, Nic Martin, into temporarily replacing him. The band then decided to take on Nic as the full-time drummer.[11] With the band lineup settled, Vincent and Paul Martin solidified the Devilskin image by adopting their distinctive pink goatees.

Devilskin released 'Little Pills' on YouTube in 2012 to positive reviews, eventually getting second in the 2014 The Rock 1000,[12] a countdown of the best 1000 rock songs as voted by listeners.

We Rise and subsequent tour (2014–2015)

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The writing of material for We Rise occurred over a period of several years. The album was recorded within three weeks at York Street Studios in Auckland. In May 2014, Devilskin released the single 'Start a Revolution', peaking at 28 on the NZ Singles Chart. Following this they released their debut album, We Rise debuting at number 1 on the national album chart in 2014, knocking Ed Sheeran's X album off the top of the chart, and became the nation's biggest selling independent release of the year. By March 2015, We Rise went platinum, having sold over 15,000 copies, being the first NZ rock/metal album to do so since Shihad's Killjoy album 18 years prior. We Rise stayed in the national album Chart for 95 weeks from 2014 to 2016.

The band accompanied We Rise with the live CD/DVD Live At The Powerstation' which debuted at number 12 on the NZ Album Chart in December 2014 and stayed on the chart for eight weeks.[11]

Mountains and Be Like the River (2015–2017)

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After sold-out album tour for We Rise and an eight-date 'Summer Surrender' tour in late 2014, Devilskin went offshore to play a series of promotional gigs, where they attracted the attention of international record companies and festival organizers, where they played the iconic Whisky a Go Go. The band returned home after this tour, to record to release a follow-up single Mountains, recorded whilst they were over in England.[11] Following the supporting Mountains and the Moon tour, the band went to England to finish fully recording their follow-up album, Be Like the River. The album's first single, "Pray" was released on 11 August 2016.[13] The full album was later released on 11 November 2016, and peaked at #1 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart, like its predecessor. To follow the album release, Devilskin went on a promotional tour, opening for acts such as Airbourne[14] and playing at festivals such as the Download Festival.[15]

NZ/UK tour and new single (2018)

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At the start of 2018, the band announced their New Year 2018 tour, with Skinny Hobos and Seas of Conflict as opening acts.[16] The band also played some new material throughout this concert.[17] On 28 June, Devilskin announced their New Zealand and European tours via their Facebook page.[18] In an interview with Paul Martin, he said he would like to take some of the band's new material "on a road test", opening up the potential for new music from the band.[19] An interview with lead singer Jennie Skulander also confirmed this.[20]

On 7 September, Devilskin announced their new single "Endo". Skulander has stated the song is about her surgery for Stage 4 endometriosis.[21][22] The song was also played throughout their NZ tour, along with some new material.[23] This was followed up with the release of "All Fall Down" on 5 April.[24]

Red (2020)

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On 17 January 2020 Devilskin announced the forthcoming release of their third album Red,[25] along with a new single, "Corrode".[26] This was released to streaming platforms on 3 April 2020 with the plan to follow up with an appearance at Homegrown Music Festival and an international tour.[27] However, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in New Zealand this, along with physical disc copies, has been postponed.

Musical style and influences

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Lead singer Jennie Skulander has said that her influences include artists such as Mike Patton, Freddie Mercury, Ronnie James Dio, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Claudio Sanchez and Jeff Buckley, to name a few.[28] The band itself lists Saidaya, Subtract, 8 Foot Sativa, Cripple Mr Onion, Team Kill, World War Four and 8-Forty-8 as inspiration during the recording of their debut album; We Rise.[29]

Band members

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Current members

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  • Jennie Skulander – lead vocals (2010–present)[30]
  • Tony 'Nail' Vincent – guitars, backing vocals (2010–present)[30]
  • Paul Martin – bass, backing vocals (2010–present)[30]
  • Nic Martin – drums, piano (2010–present)[30]

Former members

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  • Robbie McWhannell – drums (2010)[10][11]

Timeline

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Awards and nominations

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  • 2014: Best Rock Album – "We Rise" (nominated)[31]
  • 2014: Breakthrough Artist of the Year (nominated)[31]
  • 2014: Best Engineer – "Clint Murphy" (nominated)
  • 2017: Best Rock Album – "Be Like the River" (won)[32][33]
  • 2017: Best Group (nominated)[33]
  • 2017: Best Engineer – "Clint Murphy" (won)[33]

[34]

Discography

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Albums

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Devilskin's debut album We Rise was ranked at number 8 on Recorded Music NZ's year-end album chart for 2014,[35] and at number 40 for 2015.[36]

Year Title Details Peak chart
positions
Certifications
NZ
[37]
2014 We Rise
  • Released: 11 July 2014
  • Label: Devilskin/Rhythm/DRM/Rodeostar (worldwide re-issue)
1
Live at the Powerstation
  • Released: 21 November 2014
  • Label: Devilskin/Rhythm/DRM
12
2016 Be Like the River
  • Released: 11 November 2016[39]
  • Label: Devilskin/Rhythm/DRM
1
  • NZ: Gold
2020 Red
  • Released: 3 April 2020
  • Label: Devilskin/Rhythm/DRM[40]
2
Year Title Details Peak chart
positions
NZ
[37]
2024 Surfacing
  • Released: 3 May 2024
  • Label: Devilskin/Rhythm/DRM
4
[41]

Singles

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Year Title Peak chart positions Album
NZ
[37]
2012 "Little Pills" We Rise
2013 "Never See the Light"
2014 "Start a Revolution" 28
"Fade"
2015 "Mountains" Be Like the River
2016 "Pray" [A]
"Grave"[43]
2017 "Believe in Me"[44]
"Animal"[45]
2018 "Endo"[46] [B] Red
2019 "All Fall Down"[24][48] [C]
2020 "Corrode"[26]
"Everybody's High But Me" [D]
2024 "Barracuda" [E] Non-album single

Notes

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  1. ^ "Pray" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 7 on the NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart.[42]
  2. ^ "Endo" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 8 on the NZ Hot NZ Singles Chart.[47]
  3. ^ "All Fall Down" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 1 on the NZ Hot NZ Singles Chart.[49]
  4. ^ "Everybody's High But Me" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 15 on the NZ Hot NZ Singles Chart.[50]
  5. ^ "Barracuda" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 23 on the NZ Hot NZ Singles Chart.[51]

References

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  1. ^ "Rising New Zealand Thrash-Metal Band Headlines Bottom Of The Hill". CBS News. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2023. The group had also earned spots opening for established New Zealander alt-metal bands Devilskin and Shihad
  2. ^ Devilskin starting a revolution Archived 2 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2 July 2018
  3. ^ Devilskin: Live At The Powerstation Archived 2 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2 July 2018
  4. ^ The Band – Devilskin Archived 1 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 1 March 2017
  5. ^ Halestorm, Devilskin to tour NZ Archived 2 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2 July 2018
  6. ^ a b "The Band". Devilskin. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  7. ^ "NZ Music Charts for 11 August 2014". Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  8. ^ Hung, Steffen. "charts.nz – Discography Devilskin". charts.nz. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  9. ^ "NZ Music Charts for 28 July 2014". Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  10. ^ a b Floor, The 13th (27 June 2014). "Devilskin: The Family That Plays Together… (Interview)". The 13th Floor. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ a b c d "Paul Martin – AudioCulture". www.audioculture.co.nz. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  12. ^ "The Rock 1000 500". www.therock.net.nz. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  13. ^ DEVILSKIN (11 August 2016), DEVILSKIN – PRAY [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO], archived from the original on 27 July 2017, retrieved 29 April 2017
  14. ^ "Airbourne & Devilskin – on sale now! | Licklist". licklist.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  15. ^ "Devilskin to Play Download Festival | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  16. ^ "Devilskin New Year 2018 Tour". Eventfinda. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  17. ^ "Concert Review – Devilskin & Sumo Cyco, Auckland New Zealand, 2017". Ambient Light. 22 October 2017. Archived from the original on 3 June 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  18. ^ "Devilskin". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  19. ^ "SunLive – Devilskin announce European tour – The Bay's News First". sunlive.co.nz. 28 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  20. ^ "Taking Over The World With Heart And Drive: A Devilskin Interview". Ambient Light. 27 September 2017. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  21. ^ "Devilskin releases new song: ENDO – Endometriosis New Zealand". Endometriosis New Zealand. 7 September 2018. Archived from the original on 8 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  22. ^ "Devilskin Release Brave New Track with an Important Message | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Archived from the original on 8 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
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  24. ^ a b "Devilskin announce new single release". The New Zealand Herald. 3 April 2019. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  25. ^ "Devilskin Unveil New Single And Long Awaited Fourth Album". music.net.nz. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  26. ^ a b "DEVILSKIN Release Official Music Video for 'Corrode'". Metal Nation. 17 January 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  27. ^ "Album release upcoming tour". Devilskin. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  28. ^ muzic.net.nz. "Interview: Devilskin – New Zealand Music Articles". www.muzic.net.nz. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  29. ^ muzic.net.nz. "Devilskin Newsletter Interview – New Zealand Music Articles". www.muzic.net.nz. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  30. ^ a b c d "Who are Devilskin". Devilskin. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  31. ^ a b "Hamilton locals Devilskin have chance at awards show success – The Waikato Independent". www.waikatoindependent.co.nz. 4 November 2015. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  32. ^ "Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | Best Rock Artist 2017". www.nzmusicawards.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  33. ^ a b c "Devilskin | The Powerstation". www.powerstation.net.nz. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  34. ^ "DEVILSKIN AWARDS AND HOT SUMMER TOUR DATES". MMF NZ. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  35. ^ "What we listened to in 2014". Stuff. Fairfax. 18 December 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  36. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2015". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  37. ^ a b c "Devilskin in New Zealand charts". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  38. ^ "Devilskin having a platinum year". Voxy. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  39. ^ Hung, Steffen. "charts.nz – Devilskin – Be Like The River". charts.nz. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  40. ^ "Red (Super Deluxe Box)". www.jbhifi.co.nz. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  41. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  42. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 22 August 2016. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  43. ^ "Devilskin – Grave (Official Music Video) – YouTube". YouTube. 14 October 2016. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  44. ^ DEVILSKIN (4 August 2017), Devilskin – Believe in Me (Official Music Video), archived from the original on 4 February 2018, retrieved 6 April 2018
  45. ^ "Features". Deezer. November 2017. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  46. ^ Endo – Single by Devilskin, 7 September 2018, archived from the original on 8 September 2018, retrieved 8 September 2018
  47. ^ "Hot 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 17 September 2018. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  48. ^ "Devilskin Are Thrilled To Announce Their New Single All Fall Down". www.muzic.net.nz. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  49. ^ "Hot NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 15 April 2019. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  50. ^ "Hot NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 30 March 2020. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  51. ^ "Hot NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.