Here at Revolver, we're always on the hunt for great new music — 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.
Cavalera Conspiracy - "Spectral War"
The Calavera bros were right to title Cavalera Conspiracy's fourth album Psychosis: "Spectral War," the latest pit-starting single off the upcoming LP, ushers their sludgy hysterics to a whole new era of insanity. As Iggor pummels the kit into submission, his brother in arms sends a gritty psych-rock riff hurtling through timespace — backwards at first, and then onwards and upwards to groove-metal nirvana.
Krallice With Dave Edwardson - "Retrogenesis"
After dropping their excellent album Prelapsarian out of the blue late last year, experimental black-metal masters Krallice have risen up from the Brooklyn underground with Loüm, a five-track LP created in collaboration with Neurosis' Dave Edwardson, who swaps his usual bass for vocals and synths. All but one of its punishing tracks clocks in over the five-minute mark; the other, "Retrogenesis," represents an exercise in explosive short form, an intriguing change of pace that makes both parties' performative stamina all the more impressive. For real — how are these guys not exhausted?
Jesse Leach - "Salad Days" (Minor Threat Cover)
Like most Minor Threat songs, "Salad Days" is a national punk treasure. There's no pretense behind its power, no posturing — just a steady drum gallop, a few ragged, earnest chords and Ian MacKaye's clean-cut, but hoarsely-sung, vocals. Engage frontman Jesse Leach's reinterpretation of the track, which he recorded for the upcoming compilation xXx Fanzine (1983-1988) Hardcore & Punk in the Eighties, channels the original's Spartan simplicity, albeit with a softer, melodic touch. Its heavy ska bent and slackened tempo are bound to draw scoffs from Minor Threat purists, but screw 'em: The best covers are those that take risks with their source material, rather than recycling it, and Leach's take on "Salad Days" is as fresh as it gets.
Hooded Menace - "Charnel Reflections"
Have Hooded Menace gone melodic? Not quite, but the hooky dual-lead melodies juxtaposed against the 10-ton fuzz riffs on their latest cut is an enjoyable change of pace from the usual chunky death approach. Nevertheless, "Charnel Reflections" is quite the primer for the new LP, showing all of the doom destruction of previous efforts, but with a lean toward their catchier side.
S U R V I V E - "Other" (Justin K Broadrick as JK Flesh Remix)
JK Flesh — better known as underground-metal legend Justin Broadrick, of Godflesh and Jesu fame — commands you to dance, dammit, with his floor-friendly (but characteristically creepy) reimagining of "Other," which appears on analog synthlords S U R V I V E's upcoming remix EP, RR7387. And dance you will, teeth gritted, fists clenched: Broadrick's alter-ego lights up the Austinites' chilly soundscapes with infernal synths and knee-buckling beats, bringing out S U R V I V E's sadistic side in the catchiest way possible.
Vitriol - "Pain Will Define Their Death"
The best sort of extreme music only knows when to put the pedal to the floor, but also when to let things breathe and emphasize light versus shade. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule (Revenge, Portal and the like), and Portland-based Vitriol are seemingly incapable of loosening their vice-grip on your eardrums. Double-bass-propelled death metal is the band's main conduit, leading listeners through the darkness with tremolo-picked melodies while hardcore-influenced vocals further drive the hatred. If "Pain Will Define Their Death," the first track from their debut EP, is any indication, we're in for a very chilly release, just in time for winter's first frost.
