Description

2014 re-issue on Shadow Kingdom records

Maryland’s Revelation has been around for ages and has earned the respect of many bands and fans from all around the world for virtually creating the Progressive Doom Metal genre. Their debut album Salvations Answer was released in 1991 and it was one the earliest albums released on Lee Dorian’s mighty Rise Above record label, and in my opinion still has the power to stand tall among their classic and recent output. Opening with the bruising “Lost Innocence”, the listener is indoctrinated through a series of crushingly raw riffs, galloping chugs, and dexterous soloing that all melts back into a dirge like finale. The title track immediately picks up the gauntlet thrown down by the opener, but also introduces some respite in the mid section through the use of clean guitar tones and some plunky lead bass. Though they would later be known more as a progressive doom band, here the band still seem to be crafting their sound and so the prog elements are used much more sparingly. You’ll hear certain flourishes like occasional guitar effects or certain bursts of technicality but they don’t dominate the album’s bedrock doom riffage. The instrumental “Paradox” comes closest to a true prog/doom style, with multiple rhythmic shifts used throughout its maze like song structure. The vocals of singer/guitarist John Brenner seem to be the album’s biggest point of contention, and while he does lack real skill and finesse as a vocalist, I have no real problem with his performance. While a tad sketchy when working the higher register, the vocals have a seriously mournful tone throughout, with a sort of numbness in the delivery that to me compliments the band’s grim atmosphere and bleak lyrics. The drums and bass are ably performed with the latter often taking a lead role, which is refreshing on an album like this. The quality is also pretty clear but still retains hints of rawness most likely due to the band’s somewhat sub-par equipment, coating the general tone of the instruments in a layer of mud and decay, which to me serves as a strength. For their follow up, the band would sign with Germany’s Hellhound label and begin to show off more of their progressive side, but I prefer the more straight ahead and heavier sound on display here. Any fan of the Maryland doom sound should do a little investigating, as well as fans of Rise Above Records.

Track list:
1. Lost Innocence
2. Salvations Answer
3. Infinite Nothingness
4. Paradox
5. Images Of Darkness
6. Long After Midnight
7. Poets And Paupers
8. Waiting For The End