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 metal, hard rock and hardcore that have been on heavy rotation at Revolver HQ. For your listening pleasure, we've also compiled the songs in a Spotify playlist, which will grow each week.
Behemoth - "Evoe"
The Polish blackened death-metal masters have been shifting gears into uncharted territory since The Satanist. Gripping and always intense, Nergal & Co. regularly transcend our sense of what they're capable of. Dropping today, the A Forest EP (which is titled for its eerie Cure cover) is billed by the band's main man as "songs that continue on from [where Behemoth's last album] I Loved You at Your Darkest left off." Strong, fresh, atmospheric and wrapping up in about three minutes? It's hard to believe that "Evoe" is even a B-side.
Take Offense - "Cause & Effect"
Chula Vista-based hardcore punk upstarts Take Offense proudly show off their roots with a thrashy, skate-rock approach that brings to mind West Coast favorites like Suicidal Tendencies. Their latest offering, "Cause & Effect," is a nonstop bludgeoning anthem for future pits galore. In a world full of Agnostic Front soundalikes, Take Offense stand tall.
Necrot - "Stench of Decay"
Bay Area death-metal trio Necrot are beloved by the underground cognoscenti for good reason, as "Stench of Decay" testifies. With meticulously executed riffs, destructive guttural vocals and intricate songwriting, the single (off the group's forthcoming Mortal LP) spews forth glorious nastiness. As vocalist-bassist Luca Indrio said of the cut, "[It's] what we have been breathing since day one and we will continue breathing it until everything and everyone we know and love inevitably disappears." Oh my.
Lamb of God - "Routes"
Do Lamb of God ever disappoint? The latest single from their forthcoming self-titled album is a blistering thrash number featuring guest vocals by the booming Chuck Billy of Testament. Inspired by frontman Randy Blythe's experiences as part of the No DAPL protests alongside native peoples at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, the song culminates in a call and response between the LOG vocalist and Billy, who is of Pomo Native American heritage. It's powerful stuff — just as we've come to expect.
Carnifex - "Cursed (isolation mix)"
It's an overused word, but with Carnifex, it just fits: brutal. The long-running San Diego deathcore outfit, led by energetic frontman Scott Lewis, seems to defy metal's law of gravity by not just incorporating elements from every release but actually getting better with each one. Written during the group's downtime in this COVID-19 world, "Cursed" is a prime example of this. Turn it up and open the door to hell.
Imperial Triumphant - "Rotted Futures"
NYC avant-garde metal outfit Imperial Triumphant have stationed themselves at the cutting edge of extreme music, but with their upcoming fourth album, Alphaville, the trio are set to take their sound and vision next level — with a little help from like-minded friends including Meshuggah's Tomas Haake, who plays taiko drums on the LP, and Mr. Bungle's Trey Spruance, who produced it. Lead single "Rotted Futures" is surreal, psychedelic and frightening, spiked with systemic shifts over its nearly six minutes. Sit back and let the darkness consume you.
