Fans flock to catch Devilskin band's tour

Devilskin band returns to The Cabana, Napier, on July 30.

One week into a 19-gig national tour and Devilskin are blown away by the support of fans.

The Hamilton four-piece band returns to The Cabana, Napier, on July 30. Touring to support the release of their debut album, We Rise, which was released just under two weeks ago, the fans have been keen to attend the live shows - the Christchurch show this Saturday is already sold out.

"We could have put out an album a year ago but we wanted to do it properly. We believe in our songs and wanted to do them justice and we're just so happy with the result. We're totally humbled by all the attention and support," says bass guitarist Paul "the Axeman" Martin.

Formed four years ago, Devilskin features Jennie Skulander on lead vocals. Blessed with a powerful voice and stage presence, she previously fronted Rotorua band Slipping Tongue, which impressed many when they opened for Coheed & Cumbria in 2008.

On lead guitar is The Nail from popular Waikato band Chuganaut, which won the NZ Battle of the Bands and the World Battle Of The Bands in 2004, played the Big Day Out in 2005, and opened for Iron Maiden at Mt Smart stadium in 2009.

Paul, long-standing host of popular radio show the Axe Attack, has been lead guitarist and vocalist for World War Four. His previous bands include Knightshade and Blackjack.

He played at the Big Day Out in 2009, and he has opened for Black Label Society, Heaven & Hell, and Motorhead twice.

His son Nic joined Devilskin as its drummer in 2011 when he was 15. He is the youngest musician ever to play the BDO when he performed with World War Four in 2009 at the age of 13.

We Rise follows on from the band's popular Little Pills and Never See The Light singles, and an impressive 410,000 plus YouTube hits.

The band's third single from the album is Start A Revolution, a showcase for Jennie's vocal talents and a confronting message about apathy and mediocrity in society. Jennie and Paul are the lyricists of the foursome, and though their work doesn't have a consistent theme there's a message of self worth and self belief that weaves its way right through We Rise.

The album was recorded at York St Studios in Auckland, where Paul says they basically spent the best part of three weeks "locked" in to get the job done, and Rockfield Studios in Monmouth in the UK.

The album may contain a few surprises for listeners, with string sections on a few tracks.

They're definitely not pop, but Paul doesn't consider their music to be totally rock or metal either. "It's hard to define what our sound is. Life's all about light and dark and our music is a bit of everything.

"There's some soft stuff, and some really angry stuff.

"If people ask me that question I tell them to listen to our album and then decide for themselves."