Formed in 2013 from the remnants of Zero Tolerance, The Devil Wants Her Swagger Back (Dylan Scully – bass, Ryan Cummins – drums, Mick Hynes – guitar, Stephen Cannon – vocals) have caused quite the stir in the Irish metal scene. The band’s live reputation has earned them slots performing at the Mezz’s launch party for Slipknot’s (a clear influence on the group) album 5: The Gray Chapter, as well as the after party for the Iowan nu-metal kingpins’ show on Irish shores last January.  ‘Malice’ comes right off the back of the Dublin quartet’s first UK tour and is preceded by double a-side Eat This/Monster In Me.

Stylistically, The Devil Wants Her Swagger Back are a throwback to the harsher end of the nu metal sound of the late ‘90s/early ‘00s – sonically closer to the aforementioned Slipknot, Chimaira, and Drowning Pool than to the likes of Limp Bizkit or Linkin Park – while also incorporating elements of groove metal and the more recent metalcore trend.

Leading in with a morose, piano-driven intro in the form of The Devil’s Whisper; ‘Malice’ is forced into overdrive on Casualties. Kick-started with a Joey Jordison-esque bass-pedal kick, TDWHSB come in with relentlessly crushing riffs and harsh, throaty vocals; a constant throughout the EP’s remaining five tracks.

What it abundantly clear from the outset is just how tight and in the pocket the group are. A stupendous drum fill switches the tempo on Off The Wall but Hynes and Scully don’t miss a beat. TDWHSB also showcase just how deft their appreciation for dynamics and variation are. 2.0thless opens with air raid sirens and offers up a harsh but not often heard vocal trade off; one brutal, one bloodcurdling. Wannabe Deity sets turns the mallcore nostalgia up to 11 with scratching courtesy of guest David O’Gara. Like with most harsh vocal performances however, the lyrics are somewhat obscured in the chaos but when they can be heard don’t particularly offer up anything too profound.

It certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but ‘Malice’ is a solid reminder that the nu metal scene wasn’t all bad rapping and baggy pants – gnarly, riffs tighter than the proverbial and an uncompromising vocal style make this six pack courtesy of The Devil Wants Her Swagger Back a solid listening experience for any Irish metal fan this year.