Interviews: Devil In Disguise

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metalcore/Hard Rock band Devil In Disguise from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. You were quiet for five years after “Purge.” What happened during that time, and what sparked the decision to come back now?

Devil In Disguise has been working on building our content library, creating artwork, merch designs, music, videos, and lyric videos, establishing relationships with our Baltimore market and surrounding areas, as well as radio and podcast interviews. We have been working on our recording workflows, gaining contacts and relationships with individuals such as our mastering engineer, Miami Dolphin, who trained and honed his skills as an engineer through the Joey Sturgis umbrella of sound engineering. We have developed a purpose-driven presentation that includes community outreach and supporting charitable causes, such as breast cancer awareness, autism awareness, support for hero dogs, and our troops. While we have been quiet for the past 5 years publicly, privately, we have been preparing for the opportunity to share our talents and vision with the world and our music community. We live with purpose, and it was important to us that we got it right when we launched our vision to the masses.

2. What does the title “Rise” mean to you personally? Was there a specific moment that inspired the song?

Rise is a word that invokes feelings of overcoming interpersonal challenges, whether you are suffering from the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis, are recovering from addiction, or have general feelings of helplessness. Rise is a word that invokes emotion. Everyone who has faced challenges and learned their inner strength will connect with Rise. It's a word, but also a decision. A decision we all face. What would you do if given a second chance? That question is exactly what we challenge the world to consider. The choice is yours.

3. Lyrically, “Rise” deals with inner demons and redemption. Were these themes pulled from personal experiences?

Yes, we all face these challenges; we want our connection to be real, and we carry our lives with purpose. We want our followers, fans, and friends to experience that purpose and become a part of it.

4. How has your sound evolved since 2019? Did you consciously try to level up, or did it happen naturally?

We have not been in hiatus; we've been calculating, planning, and working to present a sound and show worthy of our purpose and our causes. Our sound, much like any project, will continue to evolve. We currently have around 40 songs and concepts in principle that will further tell our story. Beyond that, our story will change as we grow, and our story will again evolve based on your story, the stories shared by our fans and followers.

5. What was it like working with Jay Kirkendall and the Miami Dolphins on this single?

To be Clear Jay is the lead vocalist for Devil In Disguise. He works on behalf of the band but is also in the band. Miami is our outside help and consultant. Answer below.

It was an organic connection; Jay found himself teaching himself sound engineering. As a part of that process, he started watching the masters of sound engineering, people like Joey Sturgis and others. One night, he was watching a video by someone named Miami. He emailed him and started a conversation, which led to a common bond. Honestly, Miami likes our music, and what we were doing, he felt like he could connect with it and help the sound represent our intentions. This connection has remained strong; his work and dedication to our projects have been a game-changer for us. We are thankful for his talent and wisdom.

6. Did reconnecting with DI Records feel like unfinished business?

Absolutely, DI has stood by us through lineup changes and the ups and downs of growth. They represent all of us in a way; it's a beautiful story of underdogs uniting under our commonality. The owner, Dakota, has an incredible story of suffering, recovery, and perseverance. They represent us well, and we are thankful for their dedication to assisting us in distributing access to our music.

7. Who handled the songwriting process for “Rise”? Was it collaborative or driven by one main writer?

All songs start as an idea, which could happen at any time, before or after a hard day at work or home. We discuss the ideas collaboratively, and then we start laying down one track at a time, until the idea grows into a concept, and from a concept to a completed song. One common theme: does it connect with what we represent, does it connect with people we want to become a part of our journey, does it move people's emotions to establish a bond with the music? We understand it sounds repetitive, but we do this to help people. We do this to provide relief from pain. We want our music to uplift people, give them hope, or connect a bad situation with a story of overcoming the challenges in front of us all. The writing process is nuanced, but it's driven by the desired outcomes we seek.

8. The track blends hard rock hooks with metal-core intensity. Who are some of your biggest influences when crafting that balance?

It's a blend of life experiences; we want our music to be distinct from others, but connect with lovers of classic metal-core and hard rock. We want our music to be unique but also hit a blend of these 2 genres of Rock and metal. This is also strategic; we want to reach as many people as possible. With our blend of Rock and Metal, we are afforded more opportunities to share our music, as we have heavy-hitting sets geared towards metal festivals or Hard Rock sets to play on pure Rock festivals. Again, the repeating theme, intent, and purpose.

9. Fans of Breaking Benjamin, Bullet for My Valentine, and 3 Days Grace will connect with this track. Were those bands part of your inspiration growing up?

Absolutely, there are many inspirations when describing ourselves; it's hard to settle on just a few to describe our sound. We all have our own musical inspirations. The list is too long to mention them all, so we settled on choosing the ones we felt were closest to our sound and inspirations.

10. What was the hardest part about making a comeback after time away from the scene?

We think this is a misnomer; we are back in force, but we never went away. Our earlier answers provide the context of that planning.

11. Did you ever question whether Devil In Disguise would return, or was it always inevitable?

Never. We never thought about quitting. As mentioned, we believe this question has been answered in our previous responses.

12. If “Rise” is the first chapter of a new era, what can fans expect next? More singles? An EP? A full album?

We have released our self-titled debut EP, which includes a re-release of Purge, and new singles Rise, Never Meant, and Cringe. We are preparing to release a new single and are currently writing a new album.

13. How has the heavy music landscape changed since your debut, and how do you plan to carve your lane in 2026?

A seemingly hard question, for many, for us it's really quite simple. Music changes all the time; that is why we want our music to represent the people we want to reach. We are so connected to our followers and fans that our music is about them. It's a timeless approach that naturally evolves with the changing tides of the music industry. We feel that many bands lose this connection to their fans on their "Rise" to stardom, and we hope that we never lose that connection to the fans. If we do, then that would be the time that Devil In Disguise has run its course. We will always be accessible and reachable, and even with growth, we will make sure that everyone who wants to reach us can reach us. As we grow, our team will grow to accommodate our goals of accessibility, so we never lose that connection.

14. What message do you hope listeners take away after hearing “Rise”?

Hope. We want everyone to hang on to hope; hope is an incredible thing. Can become denial if unchecked. But pure, raw hope can help us all overcome things we never thought possible. Not just inner hope, but the hope you provide others around you through your strength. Be the hope, walk in it, and help those around you "Rise".

15. Have you performed “Rise” live yet? If so, how has the crowd reacted?

Yes, we shot a music video for Rise live at "The Rex" in Leonardtown, MD. It's a great video, shot by some of the best in our area, and please watch until the end; all credits go to those who made it all possible. Rise is a part of our normal set, and can be seen live on tour as we travel around. We have some upcoming dates on our pages/socials if you would like to see us play in your town. Shoot us a message or engage on our page, and we will tally up where we are headed next.

16. After everything you’ve been through as a band, what keeps you motivated to push forward?

Our families that have supported our dreams, the dreams themselves, the supporters of our cause, and each other.

17. What does success look like for Devil In Disguise in this new chapter?

Sustained growth, more opportunities, and the reactions of people who love what we are doing. We are a results and outcome-driven team, dedicated to honing our craft and giving all we have to give to our supporters and the causes we support.

18. Is there anything else you’d like to tell the fans who have been waiting all these years?

Buckle up, stay tuned, and join us. The causes we chose need your support. Support your local cancer awareness and support their foundations, spend some time with your local autism awareness and support groups, and support our troops; they do not get to choose their orders, but they follow them in faith to protect our freedom. All of these causes are worthy of your time and support. Don't let life pass you by, and find yourself wishing you did more, gave more. Today could be the day you step into the light for a purpose greater than yourself. As a society in general, we have lost some of our purpose, social media clicks, and the look at me now culture. The remedy is you, make the right choices to be the best you, and use hope to drive change, and always Rise!

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