DEVILDRIVER's DEZ FAFARA: 'I've Cut A Ton Of Friends Out Of My Life In The Past Year'

In a brand new interview with SkullsNBones, vocalist Dez Fafara of California metallers DEVILDRIVER spoke about the lyrical inspiration for the band's new album, "Trust No One". He said: "I think people need to live and breathe life more than ever right now, but you also have to take a look at what that means for yourself personally. Life involves your surroundings, and you really need to be aware of what's going on and not keep a blind eye. Your actions affect others, whether negatively or positively, and I've learned to be more aware of that fact, and that's what this album is about.

"'Trust No One' is one of the most poignant records I've ever written lyrically," he continued. "It's not like 'Clouds Over California', where people have to ask what the song is about. You read and hear these lyrics, and you'll get it right away, and that's what I wanted. Whether it's about trust issues, vengeance, positivity, letting go, or whatever the case may be, these lyrics are as honest as they can be, and fans will hear it. Aggressive music has gotten me through the hardest times in life, so if DEVILDRIVER can be that band for someone else, I'm all for it."

Dez added: "These are the most honest lyrics I've ever shared with people, and it needed to happen. I'm a very private person in real life, but if these words can help someone open their eyes or heal in any way, I've done my job.

"I don't really know why, but in the last year or so I've really taken a look at the people in my life, and decided whether or not they need to be in my life. I've been through it all, man, and I'm by no means perfect, but at this point in my life, I know what type of people I want around me and my family. I've cut a ton of friends out of my life in the past year, and it's all for the greater good. Whether it was because of their negative energy, or something else, I pushed a lot of people away, and my circle of friends has never been smaller than it is right now. At the same time, I've never been happier. Personally, musically, spiritually, I've never been as happy and stoked as I am right now, man."

Dez also talked about DEVILDRIVER's latest additions, guitarist Neal Tiemann and former CHIMAIRA drummer Austin D'Amond. He said: "I've known Neal for years now, thanks to my wife, and he's just an incredible shredder. We would hang out and jam some nights until two or three in the morning, and I've always had it in my mind that I wanted to play with him, so when the opportunity came up, there was no other option. He's been playing since he was a kid. He can build guitars from scratch. The dude can do it all, and once he joined us, his contributions have been amazing. Sometimes new members are skeptical about putting in their input, but he had a ton of stuff for us to listen to, and it was all killer.

"When it comes to Austin, I'll never forget meeting him for the first time. He came to my house, and I pretty much knew instantly that he was the guy for the band. He's a monster behind the kit, and one of the coolest cats you'll ever meet off the stage. He replaced one of my favorite drummers ever, and he's upped the game more than I ever thought he could. You can easily hear his influence on the material, because the drums sound so sick on the album."

Due on May 13 via Napalm Records, the follow-up to 2013's "Winter Kills" was once again produced by Mark Lewis (ARSIS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, DEICIDE, SIX FEET UNDER) with assistance from Jason Suecof (AUGUST BURNS RED, DEICIDE, DEATH ANGEL). "Trust No One" marks DEVILDRIVER's first release since the departures of guitarist Jeff Kendrick and drummer John Boecklin.