| Album | Call Off The Devil |
| Genre | |
| Artist | |
| Formed | Early 1990s |
| Origin | |
| Tragedy | Wilkes' suicide in 1996 |
| Frontman | Ethan Wilkes |
| Released | 2004 (posthumously) |
| Description | Powerful and experimental swan song that cemented Deathwish's place as one of the most distinctive voices of the grunge era |
"Call Off The Devil" was a posthumous album released in 2004 by the alternative rock/grunge band Deathwish. Formed in the early 1990s in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Deathwish had achieved a loyal cult following for their raw, visceral sound and the poetic, introspective lyrics of frontman Ethan Wilkes before his untimely death in 1996. "Call Off The Devil" was recorded by the remaining band members as a final tribute and farewell, capturing the band's unique musical vision and Wilkes' troubled genius one last time.
Deathwish emerged from the same underground music scene in Seattle, Washington that birthed grunge bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Ethan Wilkes, the band's singer, guitarist and primary songwriter, had been immersed in the region's DIY punk and hardcore scene since the late 1980s. He formed Deathwish in 1992 with drummer Zach Hartman and bassist Andrea Moretti, naming the band as a reflection of Wilkes' own internal struggles with depression and suicidal ideation.
Despite their dark lyrical themes, Deathwish quickly gained attention for their raw, energetic live shows that blended the aggression of punk rock with the melodic sensibilities of alternative rock. Wilkes' anguished vocals and poetic, introspective lyrics set the band apart, as did their occasional forays into more experimental, progressive song structures. This unique fusion of grunge, punk and avant-garde influences earned Deathwish a devoted cult following, though they never achieved the same mainstream success as some of their Seattle contemporaries.
At the heart of Deathwish's music was the troubled figure of Ethan Wilkes. Plagued by lifelong battles with depression, substance abuse and mental illness, Wilkes channeled his inner turmoil into his songwriting. Tracks like "Darkness From Within," "Down the Drain" and "Escape the Light" explored themes of alienation, self-loathing, and societal/personal collapse with a rawness and honesty that resonated deeply with listeners.
Wilkes' personal demons ultimately overwhelmed him, and he died by suicide in 1996 at the age of 27. The remaining Deathwish members were devastated, unsure if they could or should continue the band without their creative leader. However, in the years following Wilkes' death, a groundswell of fan support and critical re-evaluation of the band's work convinced them to regroup and give his final songs a proper recorded farewell.
In 2003, Deathwish reconvened to begin work on what would become "Call Off The Devil." The band aimed to capture the raw, unpolished aesthetic of their live shows while incorporating some of the more experimental flourishes that had crept into their later studio work. Wilkes' original demo recordings and lyrical sketches provided the foundation, with the surviving members fleshing out the arrangements.
The result was an album that balanced the band's trademark grunge/punk sound with forays into electronic textures, unconventional time signatures, and onslaughts of distorted guitars and frenetic drumming. Tracks like the title cut, "Cracks in the Mirror," and "Whispers From the Grave" showcased Wilkes' poetic lyricism at its most harrowing, with lyrics grappling with themes of mental anguish, mortality and the struggle to find meaning amidst societal collapse.
When "Call Off The Devil" was released in 2004, it was met with widespread critical acclaim, positioning Deathwish as a vital missing link between the earlier grunge movement and the more experimental, progressive rock that would emerge in the 2000s. Many reviewers hailed it as Wilkes' final powerful statement, a tragic yet artistically triumphant farewell.
While the album never achieved the same commercial success as the work of Nirvana or Pearl Jam, "Call Off The Devil" went on to become a cult classic. It's regarded as one of the most distinctive and emotionally resonant grunge albums, capturing the genre's raw power and angst while pushing its boundaries. Wilkes' poetic lyricism and the band's innovative musical approach have continued to influence later generations of alternative and indie rock artists.
Deathwish never reformed after the album's release, the members content to let "Call Off The Devil" stand as the band's final, definitive work. Wilkes' tragic death has only enhanced the album's mystique, cementing his legacy as a troubled genius whose inner turmoil fueled some of the most compelling and cathartic music of the 1990s grunge era.
