Description
Revocation – Existence Is Futile – Oxblood and Gold Vinyl Record
Existence Is Futile by Revocation is a groundbreaking technical death metal and thrash metal album that helped establish the band as one of the most innovative and musically adventurous forces in modern extreme metal. Released in 2009, the album combines technical death metal complexity, old-school thrash aggression, progressive structures, jazz fusion influences, and razor-sharp musicianship into an explosive and highly original sound. Led by guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter Dave Davidson, Revocation crafted a record that appealed to both traditional thrash metal fans and listeners seeking the sophistication of progressive extreme metal.
Existence Is Futile quickly gained attention within the underground metal scene for its remarkable balance of technical precision and raw energy. Unlike many technical metal albums that focus primarily on speed and complexity, Revocation infused the record with memorable riffs, dynamic songwriting, groove-oriented passages, and dark humor, creating songs that were both intellectually impressive and immediately engaging. The album’s title reflects themes of existential dread, social decay, absurdity, and philosophical skepticism, while the lyrics move between satire, introspection, horror imagery, and critiques of human behavior.
The album showcases dazzling guitar work, rapid tempo changes, intricate rhythmic patterns, unconventional scales, and genre-blending experimentation. Dave Davidson’s guitar playing became a defining feature of Revocation’s identity, incorporating elements of jazz improvisation, neoclassical phrasing, progressive metal, and classic thrash riffing into a unique technical style. Songs frequently shift between blistering death metal intensity, melodic lead passages, offbeat grooves, and complex time signatures while maintaining a strong sense of momentum and cohesion.
Tracks such as “Pestilence Reigns,” “Dismantle the Dictator,” “Anthem of the Betrayed,” and “Leviathan Awaits” became fan favorites for their combination of crushing heaviness, technical sophistication, and inventive songwriting. The album also stands out for its energetic production, which preserves the raw aggression of thrash metal while allowing the intricate musicianship and layered arrangements to remain clear and impactful. Revocation’s ability to merge old-school influences with forward-thinking technical composition helped distinguish them from many contemporaries in the rapidly evolving extreme metal landscape.
Metal fans praised Existence Is Futile for revitalizing technical thrash metal and helping bridge the gap between classic thrash traditions and modern progressive death metal. The album drew comparisons to influential bands such as Death, Megadeth, Atheist, Coroner, and Necrophagist. Many listeners view the album as a modern technical metal classic because it combines elite-level musicianship with memorable songwriting and relentless energy.
Existence Is Futile remains one of the most respected releases in Revocation’s discography and an essential album for fans of technical death metal, progressive thrash, and modern extreme metal. Its fusion of complexity, aggression, creativity, and musicianship continues to influence newer generations of metal bands while solidifying Revocation’s reputation as one of the genre’s most consistently inventive and technically accomplished acts.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Enter The Hall
Pestilence Reigns
Deathonomics
Existence Is Futile
The Brain Scramblers
Across Forests And Fjords
ReaniManiac
Dismantle The Dictator
Anthem Of The Betrayed
Leviathan Awaits
Tragedy Of Modern Ages
