REVOCATION – Empire of the Obscene CD Review

For those of you who know Revocation are probably sitting there, reading this & wondering why the hell are we reviewing their debut album now when it  was released back in 2008.

Well my friends I shall tell you.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.

You’re quite correct this was released back in 2008 but it was self released & limited to 1000 copies.

This 2015 version that just so happens comes out 13 November 2015 via Metal Blade records & has been re-mastered & “Summon the Spawn” from 2006 added which is something I hadn’t heard but always wanted to.

The artwork has been re-done to make it slightly more special & differentiate between the 2.

After a lot of talks with Metal Blade & demand from fans this is finally seeing a proper worldwide release, which is superb for people who haven’t heard this album.

The record itself is brutal.

Amazing riffs, shredding solos, & dare I say it MELODIC. Well as melodic as a full on thrash album can be.  You just need to listen to the title track “Empire of the Obscene” to hear exactly what I mean.

David Davidsons guitar work is 2nd to none. Crushing riffs, incendiary solos & tighter than a ducks bottom.

Phil Dubois-Coyne is one hell of a brutal drummer who has such a thrash metal groove to his playing that is techinal but not flashy.

Anthony Buda’ bass sits perfectly with the drums & shows enough imagination & fingering skills not to detract from the back bone of the track & take focus away from the vocals or main guitar work.

Considering this was Revocations debut album is incredible as it sits perfectly straight after last years Deathless release.

As for the Summon The Spawn E.P which is included as bonus tracks is, as you would expect, very raw. But that certainly doesn’t detract from the enjoyment.

The title track Summon The Spawn has to be the most technically ridiculous death metal track I’ve ever heard. That track features more time changes than a broken clock & some amazing bass player that John Myung of Dream Theater would be proud of.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-rn5klqfY8

Unattained has amazing blast beats, gutteral vocal & a real shredding solo that’s not a whammy bar attack like so many others in the thrash/death metal genre of the 2006 era

Final track Suffer These Wounds is a full on attack on then senses. Again it’s a technical wonder & as progressive as a free-thinker.

definitely an essential purchase when released on the 13th November. This reviewer will certainly be picking one up.

Line Up:

David Davidson – Vocals, guitars

Phil Dubois-Coyne – Drums

Anthony Buda – Bass, vocals

Tracklist:
1. Unattained
2. Tail from the Crypt
3. Exhumed Identity
4. Fields Of Predation
5. Alliance and Tyranny
6. Suffer These Wounds
7. Summon the Spawn
8. None Shall Be Spared (All Shall Be Speared)
9. Stillness
10. Age of Iniquity
11. Empire of the Obscene

Bonus Tracks “Summon the Spawn” EP
12. Summon the Spawn (demo 2006)
13. Unattained (demo 2006)
14. Suffer These Wounds (demo 2006)

Score: 8/10

 

In support of the release, REVOCATION set out on a headline tour of North America with support from Cannabis Corpse, Archspire and Black Fast.

REVOCATION TOUR DATES
Tour w/Cannabis Corpse, Archspire, Black Fast
9/8: Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class
9/9: Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s
9/10: Columbus, OH @ Ace Of Cups
9/11: Cave in Rock, IL @ Full Terror Assault Fest**
9/12: Ft Worth, TX @ Rail Club
9/13: Houston, TX @ Walter’s On Washington
9/14: Austin, TX @ Dirty Dog
9/16: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
9/17: Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red
9/18: Los Angeles, CA @ Mystery Box
9/19: Oakland, CA @ Oakland Metro
9/20: Portland, OR @ Analog Cafe
9/21: Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
9/22: Vancouver, BC @ Red Room
9/24: Edmonton, CA @ Starlite
9/25: Regina, SK @ Riddell Center
9/26: Winnipeg, MB @ Windsor Hotel
9/27: Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway Theater Studio B
9/29: Detroit, MI @ Shelter
9/30: Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck***
10/1: Ottawa, ON @ Maverick’s***
10/2: Quebec City, QC @ La Source***
10/3: Boston, MA @ Great Scott***
* = Revocation Only
**= Revocation & Cannabis Corpse Only
***= No Cannabis Corpse