If you feel a need for the sound of Killswitch Engage of the “Howard Jones era”, you might find some relief here! The talented vocalist moved on from the band that put him (and he them in return) on the map as one of the top metalcore bands and went on belting out lines with his new band Devil You Know. That band reformed itself under the moniker Light The Torch for their new album and promise a new chapter in the outfit’s career, starting with the aptly named ‘Revival’!

First of all, don’t worry! There is no drastic sound change like some bands recently did (thinking of a Bring Me The Horizon for instance). They do seem to sound a bit less heavy and harsh, bringing in more melody and hooks. But this rather brings in a different and better quality of the band to light.

Compared to their earlier work as Devil You Know, it seems they are really catching their stride and are taking musically a step up. I feel that this album might become somewhat of a breakthrough release for them as I already regularly hear some of their songs played on the national rock & metal radio channel here. Overall the feeling of the album is also more positive in nature. It still handles serious topics on an emotional scale, but it doesn’t feel depressed. It’s rather looking towards overcoming personal struggles.

There are more chants that will be a very welcome thing at live shows for fans to shout along to. More of Howard Jones‘ impressive clean vocals that really make the songs soar to new heights, less of his equally good harsh vocals. But the fact that there are less of his screams and grunts, makes the harsh parts that are there stronger and more powerful when presented.

The only minor thing about the album, is that a lot of the tracks sound a bit “same same”. Mind you, that doesn’t mean the songs aren’t one for one quality metalcore tracks. There are a couple of stand out tracks of course for sure. Especially when they go a bit heavier, certain tracks really caught my attention. Tracks like ‘Calm Before the Storm’ with it’s melodic hooks, ‘Bitter End’ with chugging riffs at times and ‘The Sound of Violence’ with a slow crushing heaviness all come to mind as impressive pieces of metalcore.

‘Revival’ is a really good metalcore album by a reborn band. Light The Torch is going to come to the attention of many people who didn’t know about this outfit before. I’m secretly hoping though, that the next album has a tad more heaviness laced through it.

FFO: Killswitch Engage, Devil You Know, Times Of Grace,…
Tracks to listen to: Calm Before The Storm, Bitter End, The Sound of Violence

Release date: March 30th, 2018
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Tracklist:

1. Die Alone
2. The God I Deserve
3. Calm Before The Storm
4. Raise The Dead
5. The Safety Of Disbelief
6. Virus
7. The Great Divide
8. The Bitter End
9. Lost In The Fire
10. The Sound Of Violence
11. Pull My Heart Out
12. Judas Convention