Revocation

Revocation was riding a wave of blog hype right up until the moment it signed to Relapse Records and released its second CD, Existence Is Futile. The Boston trio's music combines progressive guitar shredding with a talent for muscular songwriting and dynamic arrangements. In short, it's a pure, top-shelf American metal band in the spirit of Lamb of God, but with classic thrash sensibilities. Crank up "Enter The Hall," Futile's opening instrumental, and you'll expect Randy Blythe to start roaring at you – until a new riff downshifts the track into territory that's pure old-school Metallica. With the album on year-end lists everywhere, Revocation is being pointed to as part of metal's next generation of kings. Catch 'em before they're stars.