I have not listened to TDWP except in the random Spotify playlist and I can’t say that they stuck with me in passing. Maybe I need a bigger dose. Part of the metalcore wave of the mid-00s that flooded the heavy metal market with a genre that’s easier to produce than Sudoku puzzles, TDWP are one of the long-running names that is mentioned in Christian metal and adjacent circles as forefathers of the genre.
TDWP was formed in 2005 in Dayton, Ohio. Funny enough, their name was lifted from the book of the same name without a single band member knowing what the book was about. They assumed the sentiment was anti-materialism as the devil apparently wears fancy shoes, which fit their particular mission. Their initial lyrical focus was Christian, but as a band, TDWP no longer has a Christian focus. Although it is unclear where belief lands for them nowadays, they are poetic in writing honest lyrics about pains of living in a fallen world. Last year they released their 9th full length album, “Flowers” on their 20th anniversary. Let’s take a listen.
Having braced for a rehashing of the Myspace days, I relaxed a bit after the opening sound-clip-as-song. I would have eventually tacked on the metalcore genre noting the numerous breakdowns, but first listen lands in a pop meet modern rock where my ears catch emo pathos and dancing synths. Not that I unequivocally prefer pop to old school metalcore, its just that I could tell more variety in the songs. The vocals are the secret sauce as clean eclipses harsh with emotional melodies that are catchy and singable, if that’s your thing. Synths are the spotlight instrument with guitars emerging with the various breakdowns throughout the album. The lyrics show a real struggle with what to make of life especially through tragedies.
The music has a pop rock orientation with some brief forays into metalcore, just enough to remind the listener TDWP is a metalcore band. “Where Flowers Never Grow” and “Everybody Knows” foot stomp this new direction for the band as I hear synths higher in the mix and melodies I could have sworn I heard on The Killers’ “Hot Fuss.” Sure there are breakdowns and Mike’s voice comes screaming out every now and again, but largely they land in an emotionally charged, melody-driven rock. That isn’t necessarily a drastic change as “Ritual” features a great driving rhythm that would find its way on many a metalcore band’s platter and “All Out” is old school metalcore where I catch guitar riffs and a raging Mike.
The songwriting is infectious like the Easter candy that I should not eat so much of. The focus of many of the songs is building up to a huge chorus with a hooky melody that is accented by synths, formulated for optimal addiction. The verses make a wide range of interesting elements such as R&B beats, EDM elements, and metal moments that create the contrast to make the singing choruses pop all the more. They focus the spotlight on the vocals and the instruments are support which to me is a little bit of a let down, however the drums and rhythms on here are quite good and enjoyable, probably contributing more to their songs catchiness than I was expecting.
“Flowers” is the first album by TDWP to feature explicit lyrics. Although it is not prominent, I thought it worth noting especially since the physical releases have a bonus track with an explicit title. This speaks to frustration on the part of the band with the tragedies of life. The opening two tracks speak to human nature to return to broken solutions to heal wounds such as addictions or other destructive behavior that does not grow flowers. Another track, “Eyes,” speaks to their frustration with modern Christianity’s impotence in explaining pain. Personally, I understand exactly that frustration with my own losses, but I don’t agree with the implied conclusion. Disagreements aside, they are being honest with pretty strong emotions on loss and pain.
Pulling everything together, the songs are infectious, albeit a bit juvenile as from youngsters in the 00s that are screaming through pain without understanding, but with more dancing beats and synths. It sounds like they are gearing up for a new direction away from the strict rubrics of metalcore and one that I think will serve them well. Even if I am not the target audience, it has musical merit that is worth checking out if you have ever liked TDWP.
Rating: 8.0/10
Written by Sean Bailey
Tracklist
1 – That Same Place
2 – Where Flowers Never Grow
3 – Everybody Knows
4 – So Low
5 – For You
6 – All Out
7 – Ritual
8 – When You’re Gone
9 – The Sky Behind The Rain
10 – The Silence
11 – Eyes
12 – Cure Me
13 – Wave
14 – My Paradise
The Devil Wears Prada is:
Mike Hranica – vocals, additional guitar
Jeremy DePoyster – vocals, guitar
Kyle Sipress – guitar
Mason Nagy – bass
Jonathan Gering – keyboards, synthesizers, piano, programming, production
Giuseppe Capolupo – drums
Release Date: November 14, 2025
Record Label: Solid State Records
Discography:
Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord (2006)
Plagues (2007)
With Roots Above and Branches Below (2009)
Dead Throne (2011)
8:18 (2013)
Transit Blues (2016)
The Act (2019)
Color Decay (2022)
Flowers (2025)
Social Media: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
Video for For You
Video for So Low
Video for Eyes
Video for Ritual
Video for That Same Place Where The Flowers Never Grow