TIMES UNION, ALBANY, NEW YORK AND TIMESUNION.COM

In the beginning of 2020, Deveria was in the initial stages of recording an LP. Then the coronavirus shutdown brought activities for one of the area’s busiest metal acts screeching to a halt. On top of that, Charles Woodard’s “day job” was as a cardiac nurse for St. Peter’s Hospital and Albany Associates in Cardiology.

“When COVID-19 started our lives had been completely changed, especially in my profession,” Woodard said in an email. “Every day was a challenge for me, and it still is. In my profession I am there to help people, but it’s a struggle daily fighting something that you cannot see, trying to protect yourself and not bring it home to my wife and kids. It was causing so many deaths in the world, so my stress and anxiety level went through the roof.”

It was with Deveria that Woodard found the outlet he needed. Now, the band has released its first full-length LP, “Suicide Forest.” In doing so, he was able to fulfill a childhood ambition.

“Ever since I was 12 years old, I always wanted to write my own songs after listening to bands like AC/DC, Black Sabbath, April Wine,” Woodard wrote. “I believe Deveria developed its sound from all types of music genres growing up in the ‘80s through today’s listening to all varieties of rock, heavy metal, thrash and progressive metal.

“We started recording our new album just before the outbreak started. So it put us out of commission for at least six months I believe, before we were able to get back in the studio and start up again,” he added. “But I believe if it was not for the music and the band, I’m not sure how I would have kept myself together to deal with my stress and anxiety. Music was my lifesaver.” While the pandemic was a major setback for Deveria, this isn’t the first obstacle the group has had to overcome. It released an EP in 2010, but disbanded soon after. In 2018, a revamped and resurgent lineup came screaming for vengeance and brought its Judas Priest, Iron Maiden