8:18 (Blue)

The Devil Wears Pradaas 2013 album 8:18 once again pulled off the neat trick of topping the Pop (#6), Metal (#2), and Christian (#1) charts (the title itself is a reference to the Bible verse Romans 8:18, which says that our present-day suffering pales next to the glory that is to come). Which kinda sums up TDWPas appeal: what other band can shift so seamlessly from moments of visceral madness to spells of spiritual grace? 8:18 marked the swan song for founding band members Chris Rubey and Daniel Williams, and they certainly went out in style; the addition of some hardcore punk (aoBlack & Blue, a? aoNumber Elevena?) and straight metal (aoRumorsa?) ingredients to TDWPas melodic metalcore cauldron makes for a heady brew indeed. This sea blue pressing comes inside a gatefold with beautifully austere artwork plus an insert. A real artistic statement on every level.