The Devout

The Devout

The Devout is a melodic death metal band from Valencia, Santa Clarita, in the United States. It begins in spring 2003 as a project built around guitarist Atte Pasanen, who has the first ideas for the group’s songs. Keyboard player Juho Yksjärvi joins soon after, followed by vocalist Aslak Michael and drummer Henry Heinonen in early summer 2003.

Formation and early line-up

The band sets out to combine death metal with melodic and folk-influenced elements. By autumn 2003, this direction is established, and the first songs start to take shape in 2004. The group’s early writing includes material that later becomes known as “Midnight Feast”, “Where Gales Veiled The Moon” and “...And The Harvester Proclaimed”, although the lyrics and titles change substantially during development.

As the line-up changes, Teemu Pellonpää joins to strengthen the low end, although he is also a drummer. Juho Yksjärvi later leaves because of ideological differences over the band’s anti-religious stance, and Henry Heinonen also departs. Teemu then moves to drums. In autumn 2004, Heikki Hiekkanen joins as second guitarist and Tiia Savelius becomes the synth player.

Name, demos and live activity

By spring 2005, Eero Saukkonen joins on bass and the band settles on the name The Devout. At this point the group’s style has developed into a mix of different genres rather than a sound that fits a single label. The band records its first demo during spring 2005, and “Where Gales Veiled The Moon” receives a positive response. Later that summer, The Devout plays at the Kuilun Partaalla festival.

New material continues to develop during autumn, and the band later plays a show at Sepänkeskus in winter 2006. It also visits “the land of the undead” and recruits bass player Tommi Rintala, described as a highly skilled player.

Recorded material and split

During spring 2006, plans are made for a second demo. Recording begins in late summer and continues through autumn, leading towards The Paradox Of Salvation. The band then splits on 12 February 2007, as members move to different cities and countries for their studies.

Later reforming activity

In 2008, Atte Pasanen and Delacroix, also known for Alterblood, join forces to bring The Devout back together.