A Sepultura-ish tribal march introduces the opening track, "No Compromise," and once unleashed, pure power and rage reigns supreme.
Dolving's vocals are insanely angry, howling lyrical themes of revolution; guitarists Anders Bjorler and Patrik Jensen display finesse in their riff-assaults, combining for a meaty duo; drummer Per M. Jensen pounds all over his kit, demonstrating phenomenal technique and thunderous double-bass work. And that's just the first track.
The next assault, "99," is slightly eased back to create a head-banging barrage. Besides being heavier than hell, "99" is the first track to feature a major highlight on rEVOLVEr: guitar solos. Before shredding into the song's final moments, a slowly building, wailing solo carries the track into a new dimension of superiority. "Abysmal" is a melodic track that features a guitar solo that showcases the band's versatility.
"Nothing Right" is a well-layered track that is baffling; it starts out sounding like a radio-friendly track, then transits into sheer anger and disgust. As if that wasn't enough, an unheard-of level of heaviness explodes out of nowhere to finish off the track.
If there is one album to buy (yes, I said buy) on a whim to kick off the new year, it is definitely rEVOLVEr.
