DEVIL IN DISGUISE

Devil in Disguise are:
Pat Severino – guitar, vocals
Jay Kirkendal – vocals, guitar
Billy Valentine – drums
Anthony Harrison – bass, vocals

discography:

Baltimore’s heavy music scene has always thrived on grit, persistence and a certain DIY stubbornness.
Few bands embody that spirit quite like Devil In Disguise.
Formed nearly a decade ago, the group has steadily carved out its place between hard rock hooks and metalcore intensity – and after a turbulent journey of lineup shifts, pauses and reinvention, the band now return with renewed focus.
Their latest release, the EP ‘Never Meant‘, arrived on October 8, 2025 via DI Records, marking the band’s first major statement since their early breakthrough single ‘Purge‘.
But rather than a simple comeback, the record feels more like the result of years spent regrouping, reassessing and rebuilding the chemistry that defines a band.
Devil In Disguise were originally founded by vocalist and guitarist Jay Kirkendall and percussionist Anthony Harrison with a straightforward idea:
ignore the invisible borders that often divide heavy music.
Instead of worrying about genre labels, the band wanted to create songs that felt natural, rhythm-driven and honest.
It was a reaction to a scene that often seemed more concerned with categorizing music than letting it evolve.
Ironically, the band’s first widely noticed track, ‘Purge‘, emerged as something quite different from what they had initially envisioned.
The song hit with relentless percussion, a sharp guitar groove and an almost militant intensity that resonated strongly with listeners.
What began as an experiment quickly became the foundation for the band’s identity.
But momentum in heavy music rarely comes without complications.
Over the following years Devil In Disguise experienced a revolving door of musicians, forcing the remaining core members to rethink their next steps.
Rather than pushing forward with unstable lineups, the band made a deliberate decision:
pause, rebuild and wait until the right musicians were in place.
That patience eventually paid off.
Guitarist Pat Severino, an old connection within Baltimore’s metal circles, joined the fold and brought both stage presence and stability to the group.
Soon after, drummer Billy Valentine completed the lineup – a seasoned player whose experience helped anchor the band both musically and organizationally.
For the first time in years, Devil In Disguise finally had a fully solid unit.
With the lineup settled, the band returned to the stage.
By 2023 they were steadily shaking off the rust, and throughout 2024 their presence on the local circuit intensified, playing frequent shows and reconnecting with the scene that had supported them from the beginning.
That renewed energy ultimately fed into ‘Never Meant‘.
The EP captures a band that has lived through its share of internal battles.
Musically it blends heavy riffs, melodic choruses and moments of emotional tension, moving between aggression and reflection.
Lyrically, the songs circle around themes of regret, self-examination and resilience – the kind of topics that feel earned rather than manufactured.
Tracks like the title piece ‘Never Meant‘ lean into introspection, while ‘Cringe‘ adds a more biting, almost punk-like edge.
Meanwhile ‘Rise‘, one of the band’s most explosive live tracks, builds from thunderous drums into a soaring chorus that highlights the band’s ability to balance melody with raw force.
The EP was produced by the band together with Jay Kirkendall and Miami Dolphin, giving the songs a polished but still muscular sound that keeps the focus on performance rather than studio trickery.
Today, Devil In Disguise feel less like a band chasing a breakthrough and more like one that has finally found its footing.
After years of experimentation, setbacks and persistence, the Baltimore outfit seems ready to push forward with a clearer sense of direction.
And if their recent live shows are any indication, the next chapter may be their loudest yet.