Revoker

Revoker are a heavy metal group from the United Kingdom, formed in 2006. The band comes from South Wales and consists of Jamie Mathias on vocals and guitar, Chris Green on lead guitar, Shane Phillips on bass and Jack Pritchard on drums. Mathias and Green play together from the age of 13, before Phillips and Pritchard join and complete the lineup at school.

Sound and style

The group blends heavy metal, hard rock, groove metal and thrash metal. Their music draws on classic metal and hard rock, but they present it through a more modern sound. Their songs are built with a clear structure and often combine aggressive riffs with strong choruses. The band describes this approach as “new old school” in attitude.

Recording and releases

Revoker sign to Roadrunner Records in July 2010 after the label notices the band’s live reputation and studio work. They record with Benji Webbe of Skindred, who hears them while they are tracking an EP at Nott-In-Pill Studios and later works with them behind the board. Their Roadrunner Records debut, Revenge for the Ruthless, features tracks including “Stay Down” and “Psychoville”. “Stay Down” is a first single, while “Psychoville” is built from a riff by Mathias and lyrics by Pritchard. The band’s full-length debut is due in 2011.

Live activity

Revoker build an early reputation through live shows, including performances at Download 2010 and Hammerfest 2010. They also tour with Soulfly and Skindred. Their stage presence and aggressive sound help them gain attention beyond their home region.

Background and themes

The band’s South Wales background remains important to its identity. Its members describe their surroundings as a place of boredom and frustration, and they channel that into the music. They also present themselves as outsiders in their local scene, rejecting trends and stressing independence. The name Revoker refers to a term from card games meaning to refuse to follow suit, which reflects that attitude. In their lyrics, the band often writes from everyday experiences, including conflict, nightlife and internal paranoia.