Haven’t heard from REVEAL before and I thought this time I try not to give a fuck about stories, history or whatever which you can read about bands in the internet and use those anecdotes for the review. REVEAL’s first full-length vinyl release "Nocturne Of Eyes And Teeth" came to me like a big surprise and it took me a long time to finally write something about it. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like this album, it’s more that I was not sure what to write and how to describe this release. This Swedish outfit recorded this 7 song album in Studio Shitfun, Uppsala, which brings me to the conclusion that they are linked in a way or another to other Uppsala bands as INVIDIOUS, DEGIAL, IN SOLITUDE or WATAIN. And in a way this might already be a good description for this recording: a mix between those bands. Or to put it in other words: REVEAL play a mix of Black, Death and Thrash Metal which a dose of Rock’N’Roll fuck-off-attitude. I would call this highly original and very interesting. Nevertheless the potential of this bunch is not utilized and I would call "Nocturne Of Eyes And Teeth" as a good start with both thumps up, though I’m sure we can get a lot more from them with their next release(s). Basically it’s side B that makes me feel that REVEAL is just at their beginning. ‘Blue Demon’ offers a good start of this side and the "six-six-six" shouts of Ghoul (vocalist) are just awesome. Next is ‘Murderer’ which is a great mix of Black Metal violence and great calm atmospheric guitar melodies (do I hear THE DOORS here??). Last one on side B is ‘Death’ which is a raw thrashin’ Black Metal song, or make it blackish Thrash Metal song. Don’t know, but I know that it is great what I hear. Side B offers a little more than side A, nevertheless the 4 tunes offered on this part of the album are just little behind those on the other side. As I said, REVEAL seem to be at the beginning and this beginning is unique and very good. So better check out this vinyl as long as you have the chance to as this album is as usual for High-Roller-Records limited (500 copies, whereof 100 in gold vinyl and 400 in black vinyl). Up to now this is a vinyl-only release and I have no clue if a CD-version is planned. Advice: better be fast and get it from High Roller Records (www.hrrecords.de).

Ghosts dance through the streets of Swedish town Uppsala, their shadowy figures gather at times between piles of bones, rotten wood and shimmering candles to summon musical magick that is as otherworldly as it is entertaining and “Nocturne Of Eyes And Teeth”, the formidable debut album by REVEAL is indeed a minor revelation. Originally formed in ’06 under the substandard moniker WASTER which sounded too much like C-class Teutonic Thrash, the band did two demos and subsequently transformed into REVEAL issuing this platter on vinyl via High Roller Records. I actually bought the LP and did not regret it to the very day. Now, Ireland’s Invictus also put this one out on CD and just like other Uppsala acts (e.g. INVIDIOUS, IN SOLITUDE, DEGIAL…) this quartet also succeeds in creating a really unique yet classically inspired sound I would describe as Black / Thrash gone 70s Occult Rock, like TORMENTOR melting with THE DOORS or MEFISTO eating up BLACK WIDOW. Sounds bizarre? It is and is not as these maniacs understand the art of crafting compact, powerful tunes mighty well manifesting in the album’s shortness and such concise Heavy Metal flavored Thrashers as ‘Homunculus’ or the opener ‘Under The Temple’ whereas ‘Blue Demon’ cites classic MERCYFUL FATE riffage and for me personally is the major “hit” on this record. The oddities remain subtle and effective yet prove these guys are not shying from thinking outside the box resulting in eerie clean vocal howls in the title track or a rather relaxed instrumental section in ‘Murderer’ around 1:10 that would not have been out of place on DOORS’ ‘LA Woman’. Fortunately, REVEAL do not overdo it but keep things straight and consistent all through the entire record. Rounded off by a warm, raw and nicely reverb-soaked sound, “Nocturne Of Eyes And Teeth” is an impressive release with a strong ominous atmosphere from another killer Swedish band. Get this or die in the shadows… www.invictusproductions.net, www.facebook.com/revealswe

Originally put out through High Roller Records on vinyl, this debut by Sweden’s REVEAL has recently been licensed by Invictus to be released on CD format. In their promo information, it is revealed (ha) that the band will be doing some shows with NEGATIVE PLANE, and I honestly hear echoes of the New York Black Metal band in REVEAL’s music. Imagine a less meandering / befuddling version of NEGATIVE PLANE, add a healthy dose of primitive Proto-Thrash, and you might be close to "Nocturne Of Eyes And Teeth". REVEAL gets points for a warm analog production and hellish, Becerra – like vocals; but I feel that the band could really push the atmosphere more and perhaps dial back the crude and simplistic Thrash riffing. REVEAL are at their best and most interesting in their more gloomy and introspective moments. Not a bad start, but not yet neck-in-neck with Invictus’ greatest atmospheric band, VULPECULA (RIP)… www.myspace.com/revealswe, www.invictusproductions.net, www.hrrecords.de