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.
Underoath - "On My Teeth"
Eight years after their last album Ø (Disambiguation), Underoath have arisen from the Florida lowlands brandishing promises of a new record – and one Molotov cocktail of a lead single. Between the forlorn synth squelches and gut-wrenching drops, "On My Teeth" is nothing short of nasty, with venomous lyrics underscoring the band's disenchantment with religion. "Let's get this straight," proclaims singer Spencer Chamberlain in its queasy opening measures, "I'm fine without you/I'm not your fucking prey/So save yourself and no one else." Guess we won't be seeing them at youth group anytime soon.
Zola Jesus - "Bound"
Singer and producer Zika Rosa Danilova — otherwise known as Zola Jesus — delivered one of the best goth-pop albums of recent memory with last year's album Okovi, an eerily beautiful suite that bridged the gap — or canyon, rather — separating Mozart from Marilyn Manson. She's following it up with Okovi: Additions, a collection of previously unreleased tracks and remixes (including one from Cascadian metal band Wolves in the Throne Room). "Bound" is its marquee offering, a dark-wave dazzler driven by ghastly synths that may as well have come from the mouth of a blood demon. For a song without prominent guitars, this shit is METAL.
Greyhaven - "Blemish"
If you're looking for a relaxing way to start the weekend, maybe don't start with Greyhaven's "Blemish." The second single from the prog-metallers' forthcoming album Empty Black, it's a post-hardcore clusterfuck that finds vocalist Brent Mills free-associating between emotions — and singing styles — over the span of three-and-a-half crushing, unpredictable moments. One minute he's soulful and sweet, the next he's scathing and sour, his bandmates bearing down on us all the while. A beautiful nightmare, indeed.
RIXE - "La Clé"
Given punk's "demos or nothing" mentality, it really says something that the French Oi! band RIXE have made such a strong mark across three consecutive 7-inches. Each record is a masterpiece of chainsaw guitar work in and of itself, universal and unruly. And even though the giddy opener "La Clé" off this 2018 promo tape is sung in French, that won't stop all of you non-French speakers from trying to sing along.
Solstice - "White Horse Hill"
For nearly 30 years, the U.K.'s Solstice have quietly released banger after banger of classic heavy metal/epic doom. Their latest release is anchored by the commanding croon of Paul Kearns, who is flanked by the brilliantly melodic guitar wizardry of Richard Walker (ex-Napalm Death, Pagan Altar) and Andy Walker (The Lamp of Thoth). Raise your swords, fans of timeless riffery. Tonight we feast with ears a'ringing.
Geld - "Cleaver"
Featuring members of Kromosom and Power, Geld are one of the best new punk bands to emerge from the Melbourne scene as of late. Their latest track, from the Perfect Texture LP due in late March via Iron lung, "Cleaver" a master class in caustic freakouts and windmill riffs — all for the low, low price of one minute plus change. What a steal!
