Undiluted and Uncompromised: Tracing the Lasting Impact of Pale Devil Sun’s Sacred Malice
(Artist Report)
Written by: Melody Brown
It is incredibly compelling to look back at the origins of a project like Pale Devil Sun, especially when tracing its evolution from December 2020. I spent time unpacking Sacred Malice with Jak Locke offering a rare window into the heavy, meticulous architecture of the record. Knowing how much intent went into its 35 minute runtime makes it easy to see why those tracks still carry such massive weight on stage today. Sacred Malice is still performed live regularly in venues around New Orleans and Houma Louisiana.
Jak is writing and taking a heavier direction with Pale Devil Sun. Creative freedom flowing throughout the group is allowing for new songs to be integrated into shorter live sets. This is lending way to a more organic approach to a follow up album.
Pale Devil Sun has never been a band interested in the light. “Alternating between gloom and violence, and I like playing with that balance.” Jak describes finding comfort in the despair of this project. Hailing from the murky depths of the New Orleans underground scene, the band has carved out a fierce reputation for delivering heavy chugs and sludge. The Southern Gothic, blues elements just naturally find their way into so much of this album.
Each of the genres Jak Locke fuses into the record carries its own specific weight. The album succeeds because it doesn't just transition between them, it forces them to live in the same dark room. Combining aspects of Gothic Rock, Sludge Metal, Death Blues.
Growing up surrounded by the sounds of the ‘50s and '60s, discovering the magic of sharing mixed-tapes, and eventually falling into metal, punk, noise, and art rock, that’s a formula for an eclectic musical identity. Influence isn’t pulled from one place alone, but from “unapologetic experimentation, confidence without borders, laser focus on expression above all.**”**Jak speaks this with a refreshing conviction.
I chose to bring light upon three standout tracks that highlight how the clashing genres coexist.
Canto XXVIII," drops onto the listener in full force. The guitar work here is heavily down tuned, there is an abrasive, industrial bite that feels less like a traditional chord progression and more like a beast to be embraced.
Tracks like "Marrubium" serve as the perfect benchmark for what the band does best. It captures that sweet spot where the icy, cavernous melodies of goth rock slowly intertwine with a grinding sludge weight.
“Veinblossom" completely shifts the record's gravity by leaning hard into Pale Devil Sun's signature death blues swagger. It trades cavernous for a slow, rhythmic chug that swings with southern groove. The heavy, sludge-laden rhythm forces them right back into motion.
Jak Locke is the kind of “Great and Powerful Oz” you can imagine that one would have to be in order to keep up with the writing, composing, instrumentalist, and vocals of multiple musical outlets, such as The Jak Locke Rock Show, (Jak’s main solo project, playing alternative, garage funk, and indie punk) The NOLA Treblemakers, (Power Trio bringing the energy) Also, finding the time to dedicate to short films, media endeavors, and other creative avenues.
With equal attention given to each project, proving to be a recipe for DIY success. This current line up plays on multiple projects, and have been jamming together in one way or another since 2003. That history brings an effortless creativity!
The members of Pale Devil Sun are: Jak Locke:(Lead Guitar, Vox, Piano, Oscillator), Trina Storm:(Bass Guitar, Backing Vox), Gordon Valentine:(Drums), and Scott Blanchard:(Lead Guitar). Independent music deserves independent voices.
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