REVENANT
OVERMAN
UNSIGNED
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Revenant’s Overman was recorded in 1995, mixed by Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal) in 2001 and then released in 2002. I’m not sure if the band has been heard of much since that recording, but if this 4-song ep was any indication of what a full-length album would have sounded like, then perhaps that is a good thing. The first track, “Land of Ruin” starts off with an agonizingly slow and empty riff plod that is accompanied by equally slow and raspy, self-deprecating vocals.
It gets worse when the band goes into full swing. The guitars are heavy and doom-laden -- as they should be; Revenant is a doom rock band after all. A touch of diversity would be nice, though. More frequent tempo switches--less tuned-down, e-string monotony. A guitar solo would be refreshing too. The only aspect of the song worth listening to is the drum-work--super-tight and complex--otherwise, it’s a lifeless, depressing intro. “The Mask of God” is a slight improvement. Interesting fast-slow dynamics that help the listener stay awake through vocalist Hank Veggian’s wallowing. The guitars are livelier. Dave Jengo prances around the changing tempos in the vocals with fair skill. There isn’t much to be said about his solo, though. The drumming is still the most musically entertaining offering from Revenant. Will Corcoran is creative, technically-gifted and aggressive as hell. The irony of “Long Red Sleep” is that it’s the track on which Revenant finally sounds sort of awake. Veggian sounds slightly more ferocious than on the EP’s first two songs. The lyrics are catchier. The guitar comes to life, adding some much needed color. Jengo is fast, jagged and a tad bit melodious, but the solo still leaves much to be desired. Kick-ass drums. The outro, “Exhalted Being”, is a speed-metal song and Revenant do a good job of playing it. (Perhaps that should have been a speed-metal band). Veggian roars to life; harsh lyrics. Sharp and brutal delivery. The guitars are manic and serrated, but manage to add a touch of melody here and there. Corcoran…well, it’s obvious. Not too bad of an ending.
Whatever Revenant is doing now, I hope it isn’t doom rock. They don’t have the creative depth to be successful in that genre. The vocals sound depressing and whiny, rather than dark and gloomy. The lyrics are unimaginative. Except for the drummer, they aren’t effective at filling up the space that doom-rock allows bands to do. Perhaps they’re doing speed-metal.
----Eric V. White