Album Review: Revenge – Strike.Smother.Dehumanize (Season of Mist Underground Activists)

Canadian Chaos Black Metal extremists Revenge return with “Strike.Smother.Dehumanize”, the follow up to their 2015 album “Behold.Total.Rejection”. With “Behold.Total.Rejection”, the band caused a stir in the underground scene by signing to Season of Mist. In what many saw as an unorthodox move by both band and label, it caused long-time fans and critics alike to speculate on the outcome. Upon the release of “Behold.Total.Rejection”, the Canadians proved all who had questioned this unexpected alliance wrong, by releasing one of the most successful and over the top albums in their discography.

Being called complete noise by some, and total genius by others, these polarized views continue to be worn by the band as a badge of honour.

The smoke has now cleared from the rubble, and it is time to smother the fallen with another wave of Chaotic Black Metal in the Canadian tradition with the release of the band’s forthcoming sixth full length album, “Strike.Smother.Dehumanize”. It is out on May 22nd 2020 via Season of Mist.

Noise. Well, yes. Revenge make a lot of noise. Such a startling amount of noise that it is near unlistenable. Erupting from some inhuman hole with eyes that burn with the fires of hell comes Reaper Abyss (Real Rain). The carnage of this rawness is akin to having a wound cauterised. You’ll howl in pain but as it subsides, you’ll find relief. That is the sound of Revenge. Pain and suffering followed by a dull ache and satisfaction.

Reign Power (Above All Born), Oath Violator, Salvation Smothered (Genocide of Flock) and Human Animal sees absolutely no give with Revenge. The initial shock factor dissipates and you’re left with admiration for what they have crafted here. The gurgling vocals, the shrieks of contempt, the blistering riffs and the bone-crunching percussion come together to create something truly unique.

The second half of the album doesn’t change the formula but instead pushes the limit of what the human mind is capable of hearing. Excommunication, Lightning Mythos, Self Segregation (System Torched) and Death Hand (Strike Dehumanization) continuing to decimate any expectations of understanding just quite what Revenge are able to produce. To say they constantly surprise is one thing but to say they constantly shock is another.

The shock and awe assault culminates with Apostasy Imposed (Takeover Mode) and you will be feeling a bit battered and bruised by this stage. Is Strike.Smother.Dehumanize brilliant? Absolutely but it is as likely to find as many haters as it will lovers.

Revenge – Strike.Smother.Dehumanize Full Track Listing:

1. Reaper Abyss (Real Rain)
2. Reign Power (Above All Born)
3. Oath Violator
4. Salvation Smothered (Genocide of Flock)
5. Human Animal
6. Excommunication
7. Lightning Mythos
8. Self Segregation (System Torched)
9. Death Hand (Strike Dehumanization)
10. Apostasy Imposed (Takeover Mode)

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