In the heart of Los Angeles, a city where dreams are often forged in fire, two musicians found each other and created something extraordinary. Mortez is a sonic love story between two artists from different worlds, coming together to craft a unique, powerful sound. Brett Daniels, a seasoned session guitarist and composer, had spent years playing alongside Hollywood’s most respected musicians. His expertise in rock and metal gave him a deep understanding of raw, electrifying soundscapes. On the other hand, Rachele Royale came from the pop world, already making waves as a solo recording artist with her debut album produced by rock legend Mutt Lange. Her music had been featured on MTV, CMT, Hulu, and SiriusXM, showcasing her dynamic presence in the industry.
Their meeting in the City of Angels sparked an instant connection, both musically and creatively. Their vision was grand: a symphonic rock experience that blended haunting melodies with orchestral depth and raw rock energy. Mortez was born, not just as a musical project, but as a bold artistic statement. Their first three singles, Pray, Castle, and Sirens, introduced the world to their distinct style, one that embraced dramatic, symphonic elements with deeply emotional narratives. But Mortez wasn’t content to remain in one sonic space. They wanted more. They wanted power, fire, and intensity, and that’s exactly what led to their latest release.
Released on February 14, 2025, Mortez’s new single Down With The Devil is an electrifying anthem that defies the darkness and embraces resilience. Born in an airport, where a simple verse and topline melody first took shape, the song quickly transformed into one of the most explosive tracks in Mortez’s discography. Unlike their previous haunting, melodic releases, Down With The Devil is a full-throttle rock powerhouse. Drawing heavy inspiration from The Pretty Reckless, Rachele Royale brings her love for high-energy rock to the forefront, while Brett Daniels infuses the track with his gritty, metal-infused guitar work. The result? A song that melts faces with its searing guitar riffs, commanding vocals, and relentless energy.
Recorded in their home studio in Los Angeles, the track is raw, unapologetic, and built for the stage. It’s a song about redemption and refusing to surrender to life’s darkness, a battle cry against temptation, fear, and self-destruction. The title may suggest a descent into chaos, but at its core, the song is about standing tall and declaring, I ain’t goin’ down with the devil. As Mortez continues to evolve, Down With The Devil marks a pivotal moment, a fearless leap into a more intense, high-energy sound that demands to be heard. It’s loud. It’s bold. And it’s just the beginning of what’s to come.
Mortez’s latest single, Down With The Devil, wastes no time in making its presence felt, launching straight into a commanding guitar riff that exudes an air of raw energy and mystique. This gritty, blues-infused introduction immediately sets the tone, evoking a dark, almost cinematic atmosphere that is both enticing and foreboding. The weighty, slightly distorted riff recalls the groove of The Beatles’ Come Together, yet it carries a modern bite that makes it unmistakably Mortez. As the bassline slinks in and the drums kick off with a steady yet thunderous presence, the track builds a thick, immersive sonic foundation. The moment the instrumental locks in, the listener is already hooked, transported into a world where rebellion and temptation are not just themes, but tangible forces woven into the very fabric of the music.
As the first verse unfolds, the instrumentation dials back just enough to allow the vocals to claim center stage, yet the energy never diminishes. The lead singer’s delivery is sultry, powerful, and commanding, striking a balance between gritty storytelling and soulful expression. There is an undeniable theatrical quality in the vocals, reminiscent of Lady Gaga’s rock-oriented performances, but with a unique intensity that sets them apart. The lyrics drip with themes of temptation, power, and defiance, amplified by a haunting interplay between the lead and backing vocals. Subtle harmonies and echoing phrases create an almost hypnotic effect, as if the listener is being pulled deeper into the song’s dark allure. The vocal phrasing is deliberate and punchy, ensuring that every word lands with maximum emotional impact.
When the chorus erupts, the song reaches its first true peak, both musically and emotionally. The guitars swell with greater force, the bass becomes more pronounced, and the drums intensify, lifting the track into a gripping, almost anthemic realm. Mortez showcases a masterful sense of dynamics here, the seamless transition between the restrained verses and the explosive chorus highlights their expertise in tension and release. The melody in the chorus is strikingly memorable, the kind that lingers long after the song ends, reinforcing the song’s hypnotic pull. Each note, each beat, and each lyric seems to feed into the song’s overarching sense of danger and excitement, drawing the listener in deeper with every repeat.
A key highlight of the track comes midway through, where an instrumental bridge provides a moment of introspection. The guitars take a more melodic, almost eerie turn, weaving intricate patterns that add to the song’s dark mystique. Here, the bass steps forward in a subtle yet impactful way, providing a deep, brooding counterpoint to the haunting guitar lines. The drums, though never overbearing, add a sense of urgency with syncopated fills and shifts in tempo that keep the listener on edge. This section serves as a perfect contrast to the bombastic chorus, like a deep breath before the final plunge, heightening the dramatic tension before the song storms back into its full force.
The production quality of Down With The Devil deserves high praise, as every element is given the space to shine while maintaining a cohesive, full-bodied sound. The mixing is crisp, ensuring that the instrumentation doesn’t overpower the vocals but rather complements them in a way that feels effortless. The intricate details, such as the slight reverb on the vocals, the crunch of the guitars, and the punch of the snare, are meticulously crafted, contributing to the song’s polished yet electrifying character. There’s a rawness to the performance, but it never feels unrefined; instead, it gives the track an organic edge, as if the band is performing live right in front of you. The balance between clarity and grit makes the song feel immersive, engaging, and sonically rich.
In essence, Down With The Devil is a fully immersive adventure. The seamless marriage of bluesy guitar work, dynamic vocal performances, and high-quality production results in a track that is both hypnotic and electrifying. From the very first note to the final fade-out, the song captivates the listener, pulling them into a world that feels dark, rebellious, and exhilarating. Mortez has crafted something that not only solidifies their presence in modern rock but also hints at an exciting evolution in their sound. With this release, they prove that they are not just playing music, they are telling stories, evoking emotions, and leaving an unforgettable mark on their listeners.
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Listen to Down With The Devil by Mortez and many more on our Rock/Electric Guitar Based Playlist.
