REV THEORY - review added 13th November 2008
Album Review: Light It Up (2008)
For fans of: hard rock... and Nickelback
Nickelback had this little corner of the market sown up a few years back. Their brand of macho yet sensitive rock garnered a huge fan base who were there for the pure-bred music, not as some might suggest the chance to worship at Chad Kroeger's huge white teeth.
There are a few more bands out there nowadays, and one of the newer additions to the pack are Rev Theory. They may have unleashed their first release on the world back in 2005 (as Revelation Theory), but in 2008 they are back with a new album, a slightly new name, and a load of stomping tracks.
This is a bright, modern sounding album with plenty of catchy songs and more spunk than a well-used sperm bank. Vocalist Rich Luzzi looks like an escapee from a hardcore punk band, and the rest of the guys should be in a Swedish death metal outfit, but Rev Theory are a chart-rock act through and through.
Several of the tracks sound like a more accessible Avenged Sevenfold with vocals very similar to M. Shadows. In other places Luzzi sounds not dissimilar to Corey Taylor in his lighter Stone Sour Moments. The vocals here are scratchy and gnarly when needed, but there is a constant air of control and melody which is often missing with some of the so-called modern rock singers. Luzzi is a talent to watch out for in the coming years.
Songs like the title track, 'Ten Years' and 'You're The One' show the abilities of this band, with lyrics as deep as a thigh boot and the sort of inspiring sound you wish for from this type of band. The sound throughout works rather like an on-off switch as the band only seem able to shred or tinkle with nothing in between. This is a minor complaint though as both the roaring and squeaking ends of the scale sound well produced and beautifully executed.
This is a fine album. On this evidence, Rev Theory have a bright, bright future.
Check out... The Nickelback-iness of it all.
Track List:
1. Hell Yeah
2. Favorite Disease
3. Light It Up
4. Broken Bones
5. Kill the Headlights
6. Wanted Man
7. Ten Years
8. Falling Down
9. You're the One
10. Far from Over
Label: Interscope Records
Band websites: Rev Theory , MySpace
