Revocation is a powerhouse of technical precision and arguably the most consistent band in modern technical death metal. Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, they are led by the virtuosic Dave Davidson, a Berklee College of Music graduate who famously blends high-speed thrash and brutal death metal with complex jazz polyrhythms.
Band Overview
- Origin: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Formed: 2006 (originally active as Cryptic Warning from 2000–2006)
- Genre: Technical Death Metal / Thrash Metal
- Label: Metal Blade Records
- Core Sound: A “surgical” blend of Bay Area thrash speed, technical death metal dissonance, and melodic jazz-fusion solos.
History & Evolution
The band was founded by high school friends Dave Davidson, Anthony Buda, and Phil Dubois-Coyne. After a few years as a traditional thrash act called Cryptic Warning, they “revoked” their past and rebranded as Revocation in 2006 to pursue a more extreme and technical direction.
- The Rise (2008–2013): Albums like Empire of the Obscene and Existence Is Futile made them critical darlings. Dave Davidson’s guitar work—using seven-string guitars and unconventional chord voicings—became the band’s hallmark.
- The Metal Blade Era (2014–Present): Signing with Metal Blade brought international stardom. Their sound has darkened over time, moving away from pure thrash toward a “blackened” technical death metal style, especially on albums like The Outer Ones (2018).
Latest Album: New Gods, New Masters
Released on September 26, 2025, this is the band’s ninth studio album and a conceptual deep-dive into a technological dystopia.
- Theme: Lyrically, the album explores the “cult of technology” and the terrifying potential of Artificial Intelligence (which Davidson describes as our “New God”).
- Guest Stars: True to the band’s collaborative spirit, the record features guest spots from Travis Ryan (Cattle Decapitation), Luc Lemay (Gorguts), and Jonny Davy (Job For A Cowboy).
- Key Tracks:
- Cronenberged: A high-speed homage to body horror and sci-fi (complete with a “gross-out” music video).
- Sarcophagi of the Soul: A critique of human addiction to digital devices.
- Confines of Infinity: An epic track featuring the unhinged vocals of Travis Ryan.
Current Lineup (2026)
The band underwent a significant energy shift in 2023 with a new rhythm section:
- Dave Davidson: Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar
- Ash Pearson: Drums (Ex-3 Inches of Blood)
- Harry Lannon: Rhythm Guitar (Joined 2023)
- Alex Weber: Bass (Joined 2023)
2026 European Tour
Revocation is currently touring Europe throughout January and February 2026 as part of a massive triple-bill with Sylosis and Distant.
Notable Dates:
- January 19, 2026: Pumpehuset, Copenhagen (DK) — They just performed this show last week!
- January 29, 2026: Backstage, Munich (DE) — They are performing here tonight.
- February 11, 2026: Patronaat, Haarlem (NL)
- February 20, 2026: O2 Forum Kentish Town, London (UK)
Fun Fact: Dave Davidson is widely considered a “musician’s musician.” When he isn’t touring, he frequently teaches guitar masterclasses and has his own signature Jackson guitar model.