Netherheaven is the eighth full-length foray for Boston’s Revocation and their first in four years. The lone change in the band is the departure of guitarist Dan Gargiulo of Artificial Brain.
The remaining three members have all been a part of Revocation lore since at least 2016’s Great Is Our Sin. Stylistically the band manages to straddle the line between the technical end of death metal with thrash sensibilities and enough melody to drive the songs home. What was the four year layover like for these tour warriors? Read on to find out.
Ripping through opener “Diabolical Majesty” is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg for this well-oiled machine as they push their technical boundaries, crafting sizzling songs throughout the album’s 45-minute run time. Dave Davidson’s vocals remain at their blood-gurgling best while also providing plenty of tremendous riffs in the process with Ash Pearson’s drums and self-proclaimed hotso Brett Bamberger plucking along fat strings in unison with the rest of the trio.
“Nihilistic Violence” isn’t the fastest track as it plods along at difference stretches, but makes for a great example of Revocation operating at very different levels of intensity whether that be heaviness or speed, with the song so tightly woven together you’d be hard-pressed to know when a shift is coming. Pearson’s drums make their presence known and refuse to let up until the track comes to a close.
“Galleries of Morbid Artistry” is another example of technicality being tastefully executed, making for a beautiful listening experience with the guitars telling a much different story than Davidson’s gruff vocal delivery does. There is a lot to be said about the assembly of this band’s anarchy, but they let the music tell the whole story. Netherheaven might well be the best album that Revocation has recorded to date, with plenty for fans of old to latch onto while the band continues to advance their sonic palate. This is one of the best albums of 2022, no question about it.
(released September 9, 2022 on Metal Blade Records)
Heavy Music HQ Rating:
Watch Revocation – “Diabolical Majesty” Video
