Outside Revelation are the odd ones out at the party! They hail from the Netherlands but don’t play symphonic metal. No layered keyboards and massive orchestral arrangements on show here. Instead, it’s a Rival Sons inspired brand of groove/retro rock that Outside Revelation play, with ‘New Dawn’ being their debut EP.
Opening track ‘Catch Me’ is a fine slice of guitar-driven rock, with enough fuzzy riffs (courtesy of guitarist Davy Knobel) to have Rival Sons’ own fuzz lord, Scott Holiday, nodding with approval. The groove throughout the three minutes or so is infectious, and no doubt down to the fact that the rhythm section of drummer Toine Couwenberg and bassist Michael Wouters have been playing music together for over twenty years. Vocalist Tracy Tchai has a raw, authenticity to her vocals that instantly draws the listener in, and keeps them interested. The title track quickly follows on, and has a classic Led Zeppelin feel to it, with multiple changes in tempo and a dreamy midsection where Tchai’s vocals grow wings, and some killer guitar effects from Knobel.
‘Free’ is softer in tempo, with a gentle start where, in places, the acoustic guitar melodies have a Blackberry Smoke ‘Pretty Little Lies’ vibe to them. The soft-loud-soft path is followed, and although the loud part is totally expected, it is still thrilling when it does arrive. The vocals are pushed way up in the mix and Tchai totally owns the track. ‘Work Hard For Nothing’ has a slamming intro, thanks to the rhythm section, and some neat wah-wah effects on a track that steadily grows into a four minute epic. ‘Long Way Down’ ends the EP with another gutsy, slamming intro from Couwenberg, and fuzz by the truck load. Knobel puts his box of tricks to great use, and the mixture of fuzzy riffs, guitar effects and feedback are staggering.
Make no mistake, although ‘New Dawn’ is only five tracks long, what it lacks in running time, it more than makes up for in quality.
Check out ‘New Dawn’ on bandcamp here.
Connect with Outside Revelation here.