Revulsion - Revulsion (2021)

Barely a day goes by without another slab of brutality arriving. Death metal is very much alive and kicking with albums from legends Asphyx and newcomers Frozen Soul amongst the early 2021 releases that will feature in those end of year lists. You can now include Finnish outfit Revulsion whose self-titled release appears to be their debut full-length, despite a 16-year existence.

With more metal outfits than any other country, the only surprise is how Revulsion have managed to claw their way to the surface and get this album out to the masses. When you get stuck in, the rewards are pleasing, with a classic old school feel intertwined with a fresher, more sonically sharpened attitude. From the bludgeoning aggressive opener ‘Last Echoes of Life’ with its driving groove and punishing riffing, to the more measured and doom soaked ‘Mustaa Hiiltä’, this is a well-constructed and composed album.

The range of vocalist Aleksi Huhta covers all bases, from the fiery roar to the deep crypt dwelling guttural growl that seeks to gnaw deep into the marrow. Revulsion have nailed the riff wall sound, with tracks such as ‘Lihaan Sidottu Kirja’ guaranteed to give you neckache thanks to the incessant but totally enticing battery. There is a vibrancy within the band that its impossible to contain and as a result, there are ample opportunities for the music to career out of the constraints imposed.

Utilising the stomp of bands like Bolt Thrower should never be frowned upon and in death metal the overlap is considerable. It’s a genre where reinventing the wheel is both impractical and almost impossible. The blueprints have been laid long ago and it’s now a question of selecting the best elements and merging them with fresh ideas. Revulsion does that, grabbing it with both hands and forcing the wriggling corpse into the ideas blender before presenting the filthy results in all their glory. Brutish punishment in the shape of the bulldozing ‘Wastelands’, the imperious blasting ‘Silence’ and the ear-splitting conclusion of ‘Viimeinen Rituaali’ all tick the boxes.

They may be one of Finland’s best kept secrets but on this showing, don’t expect that to be the same for much longer. This album hurts … in all the right ways.