Coca-Cola. A brand that everyone knows, and everyone enjoys, whatever they say. With a myriad of different flavours from the more health oriented with the classic Diet Coke to the off the wall of Vanilla and on occasion Orange. Although Coca-Cola have always strayed slightly from what their original identity has and always will be, good old fashioned red Coca-Cola. That red Coca-Cola is Revocation.
Many bands from this day and age will be happy to pepper much of their new sound with over the top flashy licks that seem almost impossible to believe are real but Revocation, now on their fifth album and their first with Metal Blade, were there first. From their inception with the brilliant Empire of the Unseen the band have simply been honing their sound. Deathless is an exemplary performance where they have perfected the formula.
Rocketing open with the HP Lovecraftian titled “A Debt Owed To The Grave” we’re treated to modern death thrash at its finest, morphing midway through the song to create lick loving bridge not to mention the solo that precedes before their final revelation of the crescendo harmony that wouldn’t sound out of place in any of Iron Maiden’s back catalogue. Much of the album sticks to this pattern but instead of it being an ordeal to listen to the songs have identities in themselves that let them stand out. With the slow groove of “Madness Opus” commanding the listener throughout before dropping out for a clean section that Edgar Allen Poe would receive chills listening to. Deathless itself is very much a darker sounding album than previous “United In Helotry” having some truly inspired lead licks to create that darkened ambience. Along with a darker tone navigating throughout the “Labyrinth of Eyes” along with portraying the ideas of anguish, is an excellent use of the seven string guitar. Not in the usual seven string worship but instead as a means of contrast, making heavy parts, truly earth shatteringly heavy.
Although the production of the album is pitch perfect There retains the organic quality of thrash, moments of pure vintage. “Scorched Earth Policy” would easily have a place in 1990’s classic Rust In Peace. Fretboard acrobatic’s abound title track “Deathless” is a fantastic testament to the bands songwriting capability not to mention the inspired solo. In particular it has to be said that Davidson is very much in the running for best modern metal guitarist. Each solo constructed is well thought out, ensures a natural progression often deviating unpredictably to reveal a hidden melody none would even think of. Truly inspired. Along with the plethora of solo’s are unresolved riffs that leave and element of tension that Davidson and Dan Gargiulo are so brilliant at concocting. A consummate example is the instrumental track “Apex” a well crafted, fairly divided song that doesn’t just focus on guitar solo’s. Winding throughout the song creating different tonalities its the perfect penultimate track. Proceeded by to the faultless “Witch Trials” I would say there is a serious argument there, ending the album with a soaring guitar solo likened to the Zeppelin classic describing a certain staircase…
With Davidson’s augmented guitar skills truly reaching another plane in Deathless however this time its not just all about the guitar. Previous releases have focused a little too much on soloing and Revocation were conscious of this as such have crafted ten brilliant tracks each with their own flavours. Drum power house Phil Dubois-Coyne is able to flit from fluttering drums to absolute behemoth behind the kit, whilst not forgetting bassist Brett Bamberger has more prominence on the album coming to the fore on multiple tracks along with Davidson’s vocal performance progressing with each release
Throughout Deathless what makes the record stand alone is the structure and precisely that sense of anticipation. Whether the song is a fast ripper or a slow brooder the instrumentation often takes the spotlight. Revocation have only just now truly found their sound. Delivering an earth scorching album, possibly of their career. Ensuring that by the end of 2014 everyone will know their name and just exactly what the band as a unit are capable of. You may sample the different flavours but that classic red Coca-Cola is always the one you go back for. Absolutely masterful.
