Revocation is celebrating its quarter-century anniversary.
Although the name we know today only dates back to 2006, the band was launched by David Davidson (guitar/vocals) in 2000 under the name Cryptic Warning. In 2025, accompanied by Ash Pearson (drums, 3 Inches of Blood), Alex Weber (bass, Malignancy, ex-Obscura), Harry Lannon (guitar, Cognitive) and Metal Blade Records, he released his ninth album, New Gods, New Masters.
We kick off with New Gods, New Masters, the title track, which offers some solid opening riffs before accelerating jerkily, asserting its aggression but also its technicality, in addition to its raw effectiveness. After the onslaught comes a much lighter and more haunting section, but the violence quickly resurfaces, corrupting the tranquility before striking again on its own, followed by Sarcophagi of the Soul, which gives pride of place to piercing leads. The stirring old-school thrash influences are sometimes coupled with a catchy groove that intensifies the contrast during the virulent charges, and then it’s with Confines of Infinity that the band sets out to make us headbang with an extremely heavy sound. We of course have a few accelerations, allowing the musicians to let loose, but also the participation of their comrade Travis Ryan (Cattle Decapitation), who lends David a hand for a terrifying break, while Dystopian Vermin picks up the tempo again, allowing for raw efficiency, but also more elaborate parts, especially on the guitar side. The band returns to heavy and catchy tones halfway through the song, then Despiritualized takes over with a very changeable rhythm, allowing the riffs to develop and evolve throughout the song, following explosive drums. The All Seeing doesn’t hesitate to adopt a few touches of madness on the accelerations and the most elaborate moments of Gilad Hekselman‘s leads, but the long instrumental is ultimately forced to give way to Data Corpse, where we find the furious approach and powerful vocals. The finale is also a little more dissonant, as the musicians return to devastating and regular strikes on Cronenberged, where they are joined by Jonny Davy (Job for a Cowboy) to add a touch of anguish to their violence on the final. Luc Lemay (Gorguts) joins them for Buried Epoch, the last composition, which takes on an apocalyptic feel with majestic parts reinforced by the guest between two waves of rage, but the track is quite long, and he allows himself numerous leads before finally surrendering.
With the previous album barely digested, Revocation is already following up with another success. New Gods, New Masters obviously continues in the vein of their Thrash/Death Metal style, but allows the band to showcase new facets of their musical personality, while welcoming some very prestigious guests.
90/100