The Act

Released in 2019, The Act represents the most significant sonic pivot in The Devil Wears Prada's career. Moving away from the 'space-metal' and cinematic themes of Transit Blues, this record embraces a gritty, experimental aesthetic influenced by industrial music and post-hardcore. Produced by the band's own Jon Gering, the album prioritizes vibe and texture over traditional metalcore song structures. Mike Hranica's vocal performance shifted toward a more strained, spoken-to-screamed delivery that emphasizes emotional urgency over technical perfection. Critics, including those at AllMusic, noted the album's bravery in abandoning genre conventions, often comparing its adventurous spirit to the later works of bands like Bring Me The Horizon or Underoath. It stands as a landmark of 'art-metalcore,' proving the genre could evolve into something sophisticated and deeply personal without losing its inherent intensity.