Devitalized is back and angrier than ever. The Massachusetts-based band blends diverse backgrounds into a mix of metalcore and deathcore. Bringing life into any venue they play, small or large, Devitalized collects the hardships that each member faces and matches those emotions with deathly screams and intense bass lines. The release of their first full length album, State of Aggression, features eight tracks that create a unique soundscape. One of those powerhouses being “Flesh Pit”, filled to the brim with dynamic and energetic beats. We recently got the chance to chat with the band to discuss their newest release and future prospects. Here’s what the group had to say in an interview with us.
MSM: How did Devitalized come together as a band? Can you share the story behind the formation?
It goes back a few years, but it originally started as our high school band between Dawson and I (JP) called Reverse The Cvrse, we were really young and went to seperate schools and because of Covid and other life issues Dawson and I took a break from working in music with each other and went our separate paths. My brother (Jojo) and I (JP) ended up continuing the band with a few like minded individuals within the local scene, after almost a year of being together we all once again went out separate path and Jojo and I decided we wanted to rebrand the band anyway with a fresh start, after a year of playing and a cycle of members Dawson joined back making it a super trio, then Tommy and Andrew joined making the band a true UNIT!!
MSM: What was one of your best memories that you made while on tour?
Hmmmmm, that’s tough. You see I’d say that we got an Airbnb in NC and all spent so much time together watching videos, eating take-out and just the bonding experience overall made everyone so excited for what was to come, it really created a brotherhood with both bands and all the jokes and love just made it feel like we were right back at home. But another great memory was all the new fast food spots we hit, salivating at our mouths for Culver’s, it was BOMB by the way.
MSM: What was the inspiration behind the name ‘Devitalized’?
It was originally a side project I (JP) did with two of my friends back in high-school however the music theme didn’t fit and one of my friends in that group joined the navy (shoutout Luke) and the other started doing full-time photography (shoutout Sydney) the name itself is just so cool and we wanted to also take that word and make it something more meaningful, the name ‘Revitalized’ isn’t as deathcore haha although it means the opposite of our name. We want people to hear ‘Devitalized’ and be like oh those sick dudes who are trying to actually make change. So reform the actual word Devitalized and turn it into a community
MSM: How would you best describe your sound to somebody who has never heard your music?
Different, haha I mean, it’s Deathcore baby! But it’s not? It’s really just a mix of all the shit we love but it’s us. We write what we feel, we don’t wanna stick to this one genre or style, we wanna take all of our favorite influences from every genre we listen to and implement that within our sound because art has no standard or specific, it can be whatever you want it to be. That’s what makes it fun, so if we had to get down to the knitty gritty I’d say yes Deathcore/Hardcore. But to people who actually care, We Are Devitalized.
MSM: What themes or messages are central to your music and lyrics?
We speak a lot about the stuff happening RIGHT NOW in the world. Corruption, Politics, Mental Health, Society etc. we’re not afraid to be blunt with our lyrics and or message because we want people to know our music, our community, our ecosystem is a family and is built on love, trust, and understanding and NO JUDGEMENT. We want people to know we are a safe space for those who feel voiceless.
MSM: What are your long-term goals for the band? Where do you see Devitalized in the next five years?
Hopefully touring across the world (wouldn’t that be anyone’s answer) haha. But truthfully, touring, making some cool clothing, making really fun tunes, and maybe even creating a charity of some sort where we can help people directly, whether it’s learning how to start a band or how to get better at vocals, or maybe how to tune your guitar. The ideas are endless. So hopefully turning this into more than just playing out and saying what’s up, really just creating something that everyone can be apart of.
MSM: How important is fan interaction to you? What's the best way that fans can interact?
SUPER IMPORTANT!!! It means so much to us when you dm us, come to the shows, hangout, even just chat it up with us at the merch booth or while we’re waiting for the next band. We don’t believe in VIP bs. We are no better, no cooler, no whatever than anyone else, we’re all just a couple of dudes who play instruments and have fun. The best way someone can interact with us is at shows or simply tweeting at us or dming us. We promise we will respond when we can and are always down, Have you join us for a song on stage, play video games, etc . We even have a discord that people can join and game with us on.
MSM: If you could bring any band or artist on tour with you (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
I (JP) personally would wanna tour with Chelsea Grin, I mean I love those dudes, I love that band, and it’s a huge reason why I am here today! Plus the music fits and the hangouts would be impeccable! So Chelsea Grin and Tom (which I know you’ll peep) BRING US ON THE ROAD haha.
MSM: What’s next for Devitalized after this tour? Do you have any upcoming music or plans you can tease?
We are working on some new tunes, we’re taking a break from shows to spend time with our families, make some money working our normal jobs, and really honing in on our blueprint/roadmap for this year and next, we don’t wanna give away too much, but you can all expect some new music this year and it’s 1000x better than what we’ve already done and we are STOKED!
MSM: If you had to describe the band's dynamic with one word, what would it be?
Facetious (I think that’s right). We’re funny and joke around all the time but when it’s time to LOCK IN, we LOCK IN. We work hard and the end game is always worth it, we bicker, we argue but we all love each other at the end of the day. We work together like peanut butter and pickles, seems weird, probably is weird, but can’t really hate on others for liking it, and then when you try it it’s oddly good haha. I don’t know how to actually put it, but we’re brothers and no matter what happens we have each other's back and fight through it together. That’s what makes us work even better overall.
*interview questions written by adrianna peralta
