REVILERS "Revilers" Album Review!

Boston’s Revilers seem to occupy an awkward middle- ground between Hardcore and Street Punk and upon first hearing this self- titled LP, I couldn’t help but feel they could do with a swift kick towards the more suited of the two directions. It’s difficult, too, to know how to feel about the inclusion of what are frankly indulgent guitar solos and instrumental breaks, which serve only to lengthen the songs and in the case of opener “No Bullshit Reactor” briefly threaten the momentum of the track.

However, once you have grown accustomed to the band’s sound, aside from the occasional clichéd guitar or bass lick, this is in parts host to some strong original material. The track that stands out the most has to be “Sick of being sick and tired” which hovers somewhere in the void between Sheer Terror and Naked Raygun and prompts a tribal sing-a-long characterised by unity through despair. The lyrics are penetratingly tangible and the music is suitably simple. “Quit my job” is impressive too and demonstrates the might of Hardcore chant- led choruses and has tones of a less guttural Blood For Blood. Other highlights include the Cro- Mag like “Negativity” and “End of the road”.

There isn’t necessarily a poor track on this album, but more disruptive components in the music. If the arbitrary occasional bass gallops and guitar licks were taken away and one or two solos cut in half, we’d have pretty much a perfect record. The juvenile sentiments of “No Bullshit Reactor” don’t help much either, and occasionally it sounds as though the guitarist is playing a somewhat dated interpretation of Punk Rock (a boot up the arse and it would sound more akin to the relentless onslaught of noise the legendary Bonecrusher offer us). The two things I definitely wouldn’t change are the drums and vocals, which are- for want of a more eloquent summary- bang on. If Revilers carry on like this and become more cogent in their execution, we could well have a legendary Punk Rock outfit on our hands. In the meantime, it’s a pleasure to hear their work.