By Brett Parmenter / ParMetal Media & Crannk
Revocation is back to shred your face off with their new masterpiece, New Gods, New Masters. From the very first track, the listener is immersed in a philosophical soundscape of unadulterated composition. From the first grinding note to the very last breath of this album, you are plunged into the horrors of inhumanity — a pulverising peek into the hellscape of AI and the impact it could have on humankind as we know it.
The evolution of our species or the eradication of our old gods gives birth to the creation of new overlords, sounding the death knell of our extinction. We march toward a dystopian future with an overwhelming sense of anxiety and perhaps a whisker of wonder. We’re a mere bee’s dick away from the unthinkable — the insurmountable — and once we cross that line, there’s no turning back. The transition from humanity to transcendence is a line we dare not cross.
This is Revocation.
Dave Davidson once again takes us on an adventure. Not only with his writing prowess, but with his ability to make his guitar an extension of himself — absolutely mesmerising. From horrifying, hard-hitting grooves to jazzy solos only Davidson could pull off, he exemplifies metal, and his brutal storytelling through lyrics is second to none.
New Gods, New Masters also introduces two new faces into the band. Harry Lannon cranks rhythm guitar with devilish desire, adding to the extreme, boundless energy Revocation is renowned for. He’s a savage Svengali of the six (and sometimes seven) strings — simply superb.
Also joining the Revocation juggernaut is Alex Weber on bass, whose astonishing ability adds to the staunch backbone and rapid evolution of one of the best bands in the world. Ash Pearson remains behind the kit, pummelling and pounding with talent few drummers dare exceed. He’s the perfect percussionist for the rampaging Revocation.
But why stop there? Not only is there new talent within the band, but three vocal legends step in to shape New Gods, New Masters into the bloody, horrific, and gore-infused album that it is.
Jonny Davy (Job for a Cowboy) adds his grotesque growls to the ferocious track “Cronenberged,” and what a cameo it is. His vocals sound like a man being disembowelled while tracking — blood-curdling snarls and shattering screams that shake the earth beneath him.
Then there’s Travis Ryan (Cattle Decapitation) lending his unmistakable voice to “Confines of Infinity.” Words can’t do justice to the power he brings — a tremendous choice that elevates the song to another level.
And it still doesn’t end there. Davidson, a longtime fan of Gorguts, invited Luc Lemay to add his tortured vocals to the album’s final track, “Buried Epoch.” These three vocalists alone would be a monumental get for any band, but Revocation went one further — bringing in jazz maestro Gilad Hekselman for a guest solo on “The All Seeing.” Gilad the Glorious, indeed.
Revocation has always pushed forward, setting a bar that only they can raise. New Gods, New Masters does just that in spades. Davidson’s lyrical observations — from society’s addiction to phones, to animal cruelty, to the exponential rise of technology — drill deep like a dentist to a tooth, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind. We are the experiment. And that’s fucking terrifying.
For 20 years, Revocation has delivered the best that metal has to offer, with no finish line in sight. From Empire of the Obscene to Chaos of Forms, all the way to New Gods, New Masters, the band continues to exceed their own expectations.
The world isn’t what it was when we first found metal. Technology defines us now — digital, cashless, hands-free — stripping away autonomy, and AI only complicates things further.
Our old gods are dead.
Our new gods walk among us.
And our new masters are set to crush us like ants beneath their oversized clown shoes.
At least we have Revocation to listen to before we explode into oblivion.
And for that, I thank our New Gods, New Masters.
“Everybody’s a mad scientist, and life is their lab. We’re all trying to experiment to find a way to live, to solve problems, to fend off madness and chaos.”
— David CronenbergNew Gods, New Masters can be found on vinyl, CD, and digitally here:
New Gods, New Masters can be found on vinyl, CD, and digitally here:
