New Gods, New Masters

REVOCATION creates extreme music for extreme times. On New Gods, New Masters, their fifth record for Metal Blade, the quartet – spearheaded by founder/vocalist/guitarist Dave Davidson – delivers nine potent and portentous songs of brutal lyrical and musical significance. While their critically-lauded, 2022-released Netherheaven full-length set a high bar for the band, an even sharper musical and lyrical focus was achieved on New Gods, New Masters. The Boston-bred Davidson credits newest members Harry Lannon (rhythm guitar and backing vocals since 2023) and bassist Alex Weber with a renewed energy and intensity both in the studio and onstage. “It’s been a pleasure ripping with those guys alongside Ash (Pearson), who always crushes it behind the kit,” he notes. In terms of his own playing, writing, and singing he adds, “I’m always refining my craft and trying to get better.” Titling the album New Gods, New Masters reflects Davidson’s belief about humans’ need to worship various gods. “It seems as if that desire is encoded in our DNA. As science and our understanding of nature and the universe as a whole increases, the religions of the old gods start to become obsolete,” he says. “However, I believe we’ve replaced our old gods with new ones, worshipping technology and creating a cult-like idolatry of innovators. I’ve been very fascinated with the development of Artificial Intelligence, and I’m deeply concerned where this could lead humanity whether it’s the slow march towards a technological dystopia or the all-out annihilation of our species.”