Revocation - Chaos Of Forms
Rating
RIYL
SkeletonwitchHavok
Arsis
Release Date
08/16/2011
Label
RelapseTracklist
1. Cretin2. Cradle Robber
3. Harlot
4. Dissolution Ritual
5. Conjuring the Cataclysm
6. No Funeral
7. Fractal Entity
8. Chaos of Forms
9. The Watchers
10. Beloved Horrifier
11. Dethroned
12. Reprogrammed
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I don’t think I know anyone that actually dislikes Revocation. Their modern blend of thrash and tech death creates an immensely fun atmosphere in which top-notch riffs and new takes on ‘80s cliches hold off listeners in between each blazing guitar solo. The formula works well, as the band’s past two full lengths have taken off at impressive rates. Empire of the Obscene featured a promising young band, prompting listeners to keep their ears open for the next release, while Existence is Futile proved the band as the prospect they were made out to be. With a growing fanbase of eager young thrash heads, Relapse Records presents the group’s third LP, Chaos of Forms. No longer a three piece, the band has added on a second guitarist in the form of Dan Gargiulo to beef up their already impressively full sound and shredding alike. As a listen through the album proves, Gargiulo is a welcome addition to the sound Davidson and crew have already made their own.
The album introduces listeners to the group with two standard tracks, one short and fast, the other long and fast. Being the two song types Revocation has, “Cretin” and “Cradle Robber” are fitting. “Harlot” has the band doing their best Guns n’ Roses impression with a funky bass breakdown and subsequent shred, whereas “Dissolution Ritual” takes a much different turn. Featuring clean breaks lined with acoustic guitar and a slight Spanish feel , the quartet manages to make something completely out of place feel exactly their own. The first half of the album is particularly strong and continues its stride with “Conjuring the Cataclysm.” The track features David Davidson doing his best Paul Gilbert imitating David Gilmour impression, which turns out to work really well against the more airy chords and atmosphere of the song. It’s just one more example of Davidson’s incredible guitar mastery, something made even more impressive by his young age.
Heading into the second half of the record, things are still not letting up. The title track and the following song both feature extended experimentation from the band, the former flirting with Cynic-type clean guitars and the latter including an organ solo and horns. “Chaos of Forms” is one of the strongest songs on the record, evolving into many different things over its four minute run, all of these things being supremely executed. As it continues into “The Watchers,” the theme of the album still seems to be putting a Revocation spin on external implements with ease. “Dethroned” is yet another extremely fleshed out track that rises and falls with excellent precision, right into the finisher. The album bows out with heft, “Reprogrammed” being made of heavier riffs that would be right at home on the group’s previous album. The heavier nature of the song allows the album to end with a bang rather than collapsing under the weight of less spectacular songs crowding the end as mediocre ones tend to do.
Where Existence is Futile-era Revocation would execute a well-placed breakdown, the Chaos of Forms-era band would place an extended melodic section and ride it out into a reprise to end the song. I’m hesitant to drop the ‘m’ word, but the band is definitely in the maturation process and it’s working well so far. While most second and third albums fail to live up to the precedent of early material, this album does. Revocation has yet another superb metal album on their hands and I have to say that I’m already extremely excited for album number four. Chaos of Forms is recommended for every fan of metal out there, period.
--Cody Rogers
Comments
West Haven, CT
Top 10 Material.
The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.