And What A Strongly Built Empire It Is
It was a joyous day when Boston’s Revocation announced that Metal Blade Records was reissuing their self-released 2008 debut, Empire of the Obscene. Nearly eight years after its original drop date, Empire of the Obscene continues to be fundamentally worshipped by more than just Revocation fans. Though the reissue is remixed, remastered and now inclusive of three demo versions (“Unattained,” “Summon the Spawn” and “Suffer These Wounds”), both it and its original manifestation are indicative and defining of a fairly specific time and take on metal. Deemed “technical death metal,” Revocation express their adeptness through guitar sweeps and shreds, double bass drum blast beats, tough riffage and vocal renderings of deep growls and shrill squeals (better known in the metal community as “bree brees”).
Without fail, Empire of the Obscene wastes literally no time in phonically projecting you into a pit of merciless hellfire with its savageness. The non-demo version of “Unattained” kicks the album off heavily and unforgivingly, followed by the very thrash sounds of both “Tail from the Crypt” and “Exhumed Identity.” Revocation share their take on instrumental tracks firstly with “Alliance and Tyranny,” which for an instrumental track, will strike you as nothing of the sort. There isn’t anything melodic about it, as it packs just as much a punch as all their other songs, sans vocals.
Revocation are masters at setting up a song – by not force-feeding harsh vocals down your “ear throat,” but more so by fiercely establishing the brute power of a song solely through instrumentality first. Take and appreciate “None Shall Be Spared (All Shall Be Speared)” for instance. Not just for its play on words in the title, but for its steady two minute buildup. Once David Davidson’s vocals enter in, you’re already pumped up and ready to pit. It’s a feeling that almost every track off Empire of the Obscene will illicit, minus “Stillness,” which is the second and more melodic instrumental track on the record.
Coming off the heels of a re-release, a new drummer and the completion of a fall tour, Revocation has stated that they’re working on some new material going into 2016. That’s exciting to hear, but nothing will compare to their debut classic.
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