Released by: Metal Blade Records
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: Technical Death Metal
Links: http://www.revocationband.com
Line Up:
David Davidson – Guitars / Vocals
Dan Gargiulo – Guitars / Vocals
Brett Bamberger – Bass / Vocals
Phil Dubois – Drums
Tracklist:
01. A Debt Owed to the Grave
02. Deathless
03. Labyrinth of Eyes
04. Madness Opus
05. Scorched Earth Policy
06. The Blackest Reaches
07. The Fix
08. United in Helotry
09. Apex
10. Witch Trials
Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Revocation formed in 2000 and was known as Cryptic Warning. Combining progressive death and thrash, Revocation has made quite a name for themselves in the metal world. One of the most important aspects of a band for me is the guitar playing, and with Revocation you have a beast of a player in David Davidson. His skills on the axe surpass many not only in this genre but on the instrument as a whole. Even during a time that I wasn’t big on the heavier stuff, his guitarwork always intrigued me.
On their fifth release Deathless, Davidson and company have put out a great album that keeps them on the same trajectory as they have been. The songs are heavy and frantic yet maintain some sense of control, but the solos are what draw me in. On songs like “The Fix,” “Scorched Earth Policy,” and “A Debt Owed To the Grave” he demonstrates why he is held in such high regard. Not to take away from the rest of the band because they’re certainly super talented (in particular drummer Phil Dubois-Coyne,) and the songs themselves are pretty interesting, though vocally I don’t find much that captures my attention (personal taste thing more so than ability,) but for me David Davidson is where it is. His talent is immense and well deserving of praise and idolatry.
I have never listened to a Revocation album with my “reviewer” ears on so this was an interesting look into their music. I’m not super knowledgeable about them, but I do know that the wealth of their music I have been exposed to over the years has always been a good listen. Upon a closer inspection on Deathless, I think, for me at least, if they ever decided to do an all-instrumental album I would really love it. I still very much enjoyed this release, if for no other reason to hear an array of stellar six string mastery.
Written by Chris Martin
Ratings Chris 7/10
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