Following up on their 2023 singles, The Revenants have unleashed their debut album Cymbal Monkey, and it’s a relentless onslaught of hard-edged, high-energy rock.
Released in February, Cymbal Monkey kicks off with the title track, a ferocious anthem that sets the tone for the rest of the album. With thunderous drums, blistering solos, and some heavy wah-wah effects, you’re thrown headfirst into a whirlwind of unapologetic attitude and rock sensibilities.
Journalistic Misrepresentation picks up where Cymbal Monkey left off, the fast paced tempo of the track evoking a sense of urgency while calling out the hypocrisy in the media. Meanwhile, Burn the Witch channels the spirit of rebellion with its gritty guitars and vocal chants, giving a real immersive and theatrical performance.
As the album progresses, tracks like Griffin Castle offer a more melodic listening experience with bluesy tones, providing perhaps the most gentle introduction into the world of The Revenants, however, as it seamlessly blends into Mutiny, it confirms that Cymbal Monkey is an album designed to be played in order, in full – and has been carefully curated in line with the trio’s artistic vision as such.
Breakout is nothing short of adrenaline-fueled chaos, a theme that bleeds into 124, launching an assault on the senses with pop-punk style lyrics layered atop the high-octane instrumental that would challenge the most talented Guitar Hero experts.
The album trudges on through shades of 70s rock and 80s punk with The Slip, with Box Seat to a Coup showcase The Revenants’ versatility with elements of spoken word throughout the verses, while Crazy perfectly captures the essence of the band’s live performances.
But it’s not all about speed and aggression. The Revenants slow things down for the closing track Delta Down. A departure from the breakneck pace of the previous tracks, this brooding record winding down the album with sombre undertones and gravelly vocals.
As a whole, the album is cohesive and has a definite flow from one track to the next, combining high-octane records with more experimental numbers, with Griffin Castle and Box Seat to a Coup being the two in particular that piqued my interest. The no-nonsense three-piece will be performing at Captain’s Bar next month, and you can listen to the full album here:
