Revocation

Revocation's take on death metal brings a fun, almost '80s hard rock vibe to things, but never gets jokey or silly; it shreds, it rages, but you don't want to wash your hands after listening to it like you do after spinning Trivium or Dragonforce. These guys are players as well, proving on their self-titled fourth album that they've got the chops to back up whatever buzz there is around them. Opener "The Hive" doesn't venture near "fun" territory though, raging hard like modern melodic death, while second track "Scattering the Flock" blasts and grinds, to an almost awkward extent. From the get-go, it's clear Revocation mean serious business, keeping things classy, heavy and melodic, in the realm of death, like Arsis, but more guttural, more slamming — less ballet and more street fighting. "Arch Fiend" features both carpal-tunnel, fast-faster riffing to die for and a soaring, glorious solo that would make any '80s glam act proud. It's a nice example of the dichotomies of destruction these guys are capable of, even if they're increasingly avoiding them on this album, in favour of more straight-ahead pummelling. As the record progresses, things simultaneously get more tech and fun. "Fracked" pummels, but with a sense of entertaining songwriting, some memorable moments hiding in the chorus, while "The Gift You Gave" is jam-packed with parts, again recalling a meatier Arsis. The excellent "Invidious" is like Trivium with balls and instrumental "Spastic" is a tech-thrash wet dream. Sometimes it can seem a little much, like you want the production to get a bit rawer and the tunes less show-y, but only occasionally. Most of the time, this rages.