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Track-by-Track: Devitalized Dish on Their Debut LP ‘State of Aggression’

Deathcore band Devitalized join us for an exclusive track-by-track breakdown of their debut full-length record, ‘State of Aggression.’

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Devitalized, photo by @madysoncoburnphotography
Devitalized, photo by @madysoncoburnphotography

With their latest album, State of Aggression, Devitalized feels as if they have really come into their own. This is the most fully realized version of themselves to date, and they are extremely pleased with the results. The band released the album last May, their first proper full-length and the best representation of their musicality. It’s a moment that they had been working towards for about two years since the band formed in the summer of 2022. Founding members JP Ratta and Dawson Medeiros had started playing together in high school, even founding the band Reverse The Cvrse. School and life eventually got in the way, and the band was put on the back burner for a while. By the time high school ended, the members of Reverse The Cvrse wanted to try something new, which led to the formation of Devitalized.

By summer 2023, the band had gotten bigger, and they became more determined to actually make this work. Poised to make this a full-time job, they dove right into the writing and recording of State of Aggression with tons of purpose. The addition of bassist ThomasGunzJones Jr. and drummer AndrewPapaBailey helped make the band feel more complete. Jones and Bailey added experience and energy, which helped stabilize the lineup. One of the many highlights on State of Aggression is an appearance by Tom Barber of Chelsea Grin. The crowds are starting to get larger, and the buzz is becoming more real. Determined to keep the momentum going, the band hopes to start recording again soon.

To reflect on the writing and recording of State of Aggression, Devitalized, join us today for an exclusive Track-by-Track of the album.

“Creating State of Aggression was a grueling yet cathartic journey. Every riff, lyric, and breakdown came from a deeply personal place—whether anger, pain, or pure passion. This album isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a diary of what we’ve faced as individuals and as a band. Here’s the story behind each track…”

1. “Welcome Back”

“This intro track wasn’t meant to be a soft opener—it’s a statement. ‘Welcome Back’ was born out of anger, betrayal, and the kind of pain that keeps you awake at night. It’s about those people in your life who manipulate you, who act like they’re in your corner only to turn their back the second they don’t need you anymore. Writing this one was tough because it brought back a lot of memories I’d rather forget, but it also felt like ripping off a band-aid that needed to go.

“The line ‘I never lied and I never will’ is a direct shot at people who’ve spread lies about me without knowing who I really am. It’s like, how dare you talk about me when you don’t even have the guts to confront me? This song is a middle finger to anyone who’s ever tried to drag us down. Musically, it has this dark, brooding vibe that builds and explodes, just like all the emotions that went into it.”

2. “Deep Cuts”

“‘Deep Cuts’ is one of the more intense tracks on the record, both musically and emotionally. It’s fast, chaotic, and relentless, which mirrors how it feels to be stuck in a world where nothing seems to make sense anymore. Writing this one felt like screaming into the void, like yelling at a world that just doesn’t give a shit about you or anyone else.

“The song dives into mental health, something so many of us struggle with but feel like we can’t talk about. Everywhere you look, people are losing themselves, friends dying, communities crumbling, and the system just keeps letting it happen. It’s exhausting and infuriating, and we tried to channel all of that into this track. When we play this live, it feels like an exorcism of all that pain and frustration.”

3. “Karma Sutra”

“‘Karma Sutra’ was one of the most challenging tracks to write, not just lyrically, but conceptually. It’s a provocative, biblical reimagining of Adam, Eve, the serpent, and God. I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of temptation and the consequences of choice, so this song felt like a way to dive deep into that.

“It’s definitely one of the more sensual tracks on the record, with lyrics that explore the forbidden and the carnal. Lines like ‘the choice you made, defiance in your slight burned from Eden’s grace’ dig into the weight of what it means to disobey, to take that bite of the apple and face the fallout. The breakdown? That’s God’s wrath slamming down, burning Eden to the ground. It’s dramatic, heavy, and honestly, writing it was like stepping into another world.”

4. “Godslayer” (feat. Tom Barber)

“This song has such a cool backstory. I was deep in the grind playing Elden Ring—dying over and over but refusing to give up. When I finally got the Godslayer Greatsword in the game, I thought, man, that name is too sick not to use. That’s how ‘Godslayer’ was born.

“The collaboration with Tom Barber happened so naturally it felt unreal. We were hanging out at a show, smoking, and I showed him the demo. He loved it so much he was like, ‘I HAVE to be on this.’ A few weeks later, he sent me his feature without even hesitating. Tom’s always been a real one, supporting us from the beginning. This song is as much about perseverance in life as it is about killing gods in a video game. It’s heavy, makes ya head roll, and is the perfect track to go to war with. But the track was truthfully made about trying so hard to beat something and never giving up on it, which makes it such a fun song overall.”

Devitalized ‘State of Aggression’ album artwork

Devitalized ‘State of Aggression’ album artwork

5. “State of Aggression”

“This is the heart of the album. Everything we stand for as a band is in this track. ‘State of Aggression’ is about the world we’re living in—the corruption, the greed, the pain. Writing this one was emotionally draining because it forced us to confront the reality we see every day: people losing their lives to systems designed to exploit them, corporations stepping on the little guy, and politicians feeding us lies.

“But it’s not just about anger; it’s about unity. It’s about telling people who feel powerless that they matter, that they have a voice, and that they can fight back. The line ‘We are living in a state of aggression’ isn’t just a lyric, it’s a battle cry. This song is loud, unapologetic, and everything we want Devitalized to represent. Showing that no matter who you are, where you are, or what you’re doing you matter just as much as the person next to you, and you can join our side to fight for what’s right!”

6. “X_X”

“‘X_X’ was the hardest song for me to write. It’s raw, real, and straight-up painful. This song is my suicide note, written during one of the darkest periods of my life. I felt like the world was collapsing around me, people I trusted were betraying me, and I didn’t see a way out.

“Instead of hiding behind metaphors, I decided to lay it all out. The lyrics are blunt because that’s how it felt. This song isn’t just about my struggles, though; it’s about survival. It’s a reminder that even when it feels like there’s no way forward, there’s still hope. One of my favourite lyrics for the track is ‘I’m hurt, I’m lost, you never loved me for who I was. I’m done, I’m gone, you’re not the one I love.’ Basically, it’s telling that person that I’m seeing through your lies now and I’m breaking free from this cycle.”

7. “Flesh Pit”

“‘Flesh Pit’ started as a joke, but it quickly became one of the heaviest songs on the album. Dawson wrote the track for a school project before it was flesh pit and it was just drums and guitar, and at first, we didn’t think much of it. But after messing around with it in the studio (and getting a little high), we realized it had serious potential.

“The song’s inspired by ’80s and ’90s slasher films, told from the killer’s perspective. It’s violent, chaotic, and pure adrenaline. The final breakdown shifts to the ‘final girl” taking control, fighting back, and ending the killer. It’s brutal, fun, and absolutely insane to play live. Our favourite part is the breakdown itself because it splits into two. Our heavy chant repeating the words ‘Cut, His, Throat’ which the crowd loves to join us for and then the final blow where we do some sick crabcore, and the crowd thinks the track is over until we hit’em with the ‘WELCOME TO THE FLESH PIT’ where it comes in 10 times harder. Such a fun track overall with so many different elements and styles of music”

8. “The End”

“Closing out the album, ‘The End’ brings everything full circle. It ties back to ‘Welcome Back,’ revisiting themes of betrayal, loss, and resilience. This track is groovy, heavy, and emotional—a mix of all the elements that make this album what it is.

“The ending breakdown is like a final, cathartic release, but what makes it even more powerful is the way it loops back to the beginning. The footsteps returning to the elevator symbolize the endless cycles of pain and growth we all go through. It’s the perfect way to end the record while reminding listeners that the journey never really stops.

State of Aggression is more than an album for us—it’s a piece of who we are. It’s the pain we’ve endured, the fights we’ve fought, and the hope we hold onto. Every track is a chapter in our story, and we’re so proud to have shared it with the world.”

Born in 2003, V13 was a socio-political website that morphed into PureGrainAudio in 2005 and spent 15 years developing into one of Canada's (and the world’s) leading music sites. On the eve of the site’s 15th anniversary, a full relaunch and rebrand took us back to our roots and opened the door to a full suite of Music, Entertainment, and cultural content.

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