365 Days of Metal: Staying in Form

Day 17

Revocation - Chaos of Forms

Band Origin: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Genre: Thrash / Technical Death Metal
Label: Relapse Records
Running Time: 47 minutes
Release Date: August 16, 2011

Best Part: You know that one David Davidson solo? No? Well, all of them.

Favorite Tracks: No Funeral, Cradle Robber, and Reprogrammed

Grade: 5

Bonus: Metal as fuck album artwork.

--------- 

Chaos of Forms in 20 words or less:

The best aspects thrash and death metal, mixed in with some jazz inspired groove and topped off with flying guitar solos.

The Band:

A band out of Boston playing their own fusion of thrash, technical death metal and extreme metal, one of the more interesting points about Revocation is that they are only a trio. Comprised of vocalist and lead guitarist David Davidson, drummer Phil Dubois-Coyne, and bassist Anthony Buda, Revocation provides plenty of speed, attitude, technical prowess and shredding ability. While the trio in unison create masterful work, the center piece to Revocation's flair is without a doubt Davidson's guitar playing. Davidson's natural talent on the strings is only aided by the technical skills he improved on and learned while taking a particular focus on jazz while attending the Berklee College of Music. Davidson was recently ranked #1 on Metal Sucks list of Top 25 Modern Metal Guitarists. Arguments can be made for positioning and omissions on the list, but Davidson's position is well earned. Capable of concocting dynamic, interesting and often long winded guitar solos, Davidson becomes the focal point of the band whenever he begins to shred; add his vocals to the mix, which fit the bill just right for the bands sound, and you have a prototypical frontman that any band would be proud to have.

Revocation's previous releases include: Empire of the Obscene (2008), and Existence Is Futile (2009) 

Jay's Take on Chaos of Forms:

Custom Davidson pick, souvenir from MTL

Chaos of Forms is Revocations third full-length record, and was one of my more anticipated records for the end of this summer season. Revocation takes up from where they've left off in the past and turns it up to 11 on nearly every scale. Chaos of Forms has less of a technical death metal feel than their previous work, notwithstanding the fact that it is present on the album. The trio from Boston are at their best, intertwining their combined prowess to make some outstanding tracks that continue to promote their heavy thrash influence, while also exploring more down the jazz fusion stretch of their collective expertise - creating a much groovier record than many expected. It goes without saying that my anticipation for this record was directed primarily on Davidson and his fretwork on his badass red Jackson WR1 Warrior guitar. Even more so after having caught them live last year in Montreal, when I had only recently discovered them previously. Needless to say Davidson continues to shine, with his mixed bag of aggressive shredding, soft melodies and dynamic solos, without overshadowing his band mates, who encompass his eruptions seamlessly. Chaos of Forms is easily on my shortlist for my favorite record of the year.

Sample of the Day:



- J