What can one say about Devilskin that ain’t been writ before? Well, while pondering whether Jennie Skulander has come back from Cloud Nine following appearing with Disturbed the other day, I had a listen to their cover of Heart‘s Barracuda and gave myself a few moments to muse on my review.

Ann Wilson‘s otherworldly vocal delivery would be a daunting challenge. Added to the iconic rhythm guitar piece from sister Nancy Wilson, and that “Barracudaaaa” line, and it’s a brave band that covers a number so synonymous with its writers. Well, as New Zealand “classic” Heavy Metal royalty, Devilskin shows us they have the chops for this in every way.

As I imagine you know, Devilskin‘s bottom end is the collective contribution of outrageously nice guy Paul “Axe Man” Martin and his son Nic Martin. The synergy between dad’s ass-kicking bass and son’s intense drumming style is uncanny. When you give Devilskin a listen, beyond the production (which isn’t glossy, but just nicely nasty and beefy), you hear how good these musicians actually are. Nail (Tony Vincent) is a technical stud with his tool of trade, the guitar. His layers are well toned, appropriate for the genre, and hitting this track on the nose.

Why Barracuda? Eloquent as ever, Paul explains in the EPK: “This is one of those songs that so many people have tucked away in their favourites and for good reason too – the song is a masterpiece! We hadn’t played it live for a few years, but we all still felt a sweet connection with it. So we thought we’d have some fun, and record it as a bonus for our faithful, and of course, to honour our musical heroes. Releasing ‘Barracuda’ for us, is like a gift back to our audience and the really amazing people we’ve had the good fortune to meet over the years. It’s a thank you, from the heart.”

From the heart. I like what he did there. He should be in broadcasting! Oh, wait…

If you’re familiar with Heart‘s original 1977 classic or not, get ready for an express train vibe as the gorgeously toned guitars – I drool over Gibson Les Pauls, if you hadn’t already discovered by now – slam into action. Layered, beautifully balanced by the gifted knob twiddlers behind the mixing and mastering consoles. The band has given Heart the best possible tribute by keeping to the original composition and orchestration, pretty much, which is ballsy in that Jennie would naturally therefore be expected to match Ann‘s unearthly vocal range. Well… Jennie matches it.

Of course, Ann sang it the first time and Jennie is singing a cover, but the range on the Devilskin vocalist is jaw-dropping and impressive in the extreme. She’s captured the power, sneer and soaring emotion the original provided. I don’t have a vid to review for this one, but no matter. This is without doubt a major hit on the way for these guys – and they deserve it too. Big name or not, taking on a challenge of doing justice to a song of this degree of icon status for us Gen X heavy rockers who were there for the origins of this stuff (I was seven in 1977 but I heard this courtesy of an older brother) and doing it complete justice, shows a band with faith in each other and understanding of each other’s limits (or lack thereof!). It’s a demonstration of why Devilskin has become such a successful band. They’re just bloody good at what they do.

Go get Barracuda on your Spotty Fly now. I have. No wonder this used to go down well in these guys’ shows. Who saw them at Homegrown?