Here at Revolver, we're always on the hunt for new songs to bang our heads to — indeed, it's a big part of our jobs. With that in mind, here are the tracks released this week in hardcore, death metal, post-punk and more that have been on heavy rotation at Revolver HQ. For your listening pleasure, we've also compiled the songs in an ever-evolving Spotify playlist.
Sleep Token - "The Summoning"
Colloquially known as the "Ghost of djent" for their mysterious personas and strong sense of melody, Sleep Token surprise-dropped two new singles this week, and "The Summoning" is the heavier one. That doesn't mean we're dealing with run-of-mill 0-0-0-0 chugs here (though there are a few); Sleep Token are all about going left when your ear is ready to go right. Waterfalls of Meshuggah-like heaviness cut sharply into operatic clean singing, and when the pregnant ambient passage sounds like it's ready to burst into metallic decimation, in comes the retro funk hook. Guess again.
End It - "Familia Finito"
After finally achieving the popularity they always deserved in 2022, "Familia Finito" is End It's well-earned victory lap. This Baltimore unit are jaw-droppingly great at spinning familiar New York hardcore tropes into fresh poses, and always pulling it together in under two minutes or less. This contribution to Flatspot Records' Extermination Vol. 4 comp has mosh parts, rippin' solos, gang chants and exciting, personable vocal yelps.
Obituary - "My Will to Live"
These dudes still got it. The two previous singles from Obituary's new album, Dying of Everything, gave fans exactly what they wanted from the Florida swamp creatures, and "My Will to Live" piles on even more greatness. It settles into the addictive trot of "Redneck Stomp" but never surrenders to the bland polish that plagues so many older-timer bands. John Tardy still howls like a bog banshee and the guitar dissonance during the climax is pure stinkface bait.
Рожь - "Истина"
Рожь ensured that black-metal fans had a very happy (see: miserable, but in a good way) New Year's day. The one-man band of Russian musician Vladimir Frith dropped an absolute doozy of an LP on January 1st, and while Всё is definitely the kind of record that's meant to be taken in as one full serving, its phenomenal centerpiece, "Истина," is a great appetizer. The 10-minute composition offers a more naturalistic, folky and ambient take on sprawling blackgaze, kicking off in high-gear and only getting more majestic as it goes on.
Majesties - "The World Unseen"
While Gothenburg-style metalcore is on the verge of a major renaissance, there aren't too many newer bands who are going back and properly reviving the death-metal source material. Majesties are leading that charge, and "The World Unseen" (from their upcoming LP out on 20 Buck Spin), will put a grin on the face of anyone who yearns for mid-Nineties In Flames, At the Gates or Heartwork-era Carcass. We're talkin' wolfman vocals, Maiden-sized drumming and leads that threaten to crack open the sky.
Object of Affection- "Half Life"
Object of Affection are a post-punk band with members schooled in hardcore, and you can tell on "Half Life." Despite the goth melancholy of the vocal delivery and the reverb-y swells of guitar, the track has a forward-moving energy to it and big, chunky riffs that balance out all the pretty parts. Members of Fury, Death Bells, Lock and tons of other California bands play in this group, but "Half Life" doesn't cling to any one regional sound in particular. It just sounds great.
