'Relentless' punk metal from up-and-coming rockers
If any album’s worth hearing, it’s usually the one that was made quickly, on a budget, but with immense dedication from those involved. ‘Revelations’ is just such an album. Recorded in only seven days, it makes the darkly religious overtones that little bit more appropriate.
Through the gruelling recording process Third Bullet have managed to create a fantastic classic punk album which references everything from politics to religion all wrapped up in some immensely powerful, driving beats. Calling on the services of producer Gavin Monaghan (who apparently waived his regular fee for love of the music), he’s not the only heavyweight support Third Bullet have received recently. Not only did they write a theme song for UFC fighter Paul Taylor (titled ‘Relentless’, sadly it’s not on this album), but the insanely catchy ‘Resistance Is Futile’ is currently being used in Harley Davidson’s latest advertising campaign. And if that wasn’t enough, they’ve been championed from every rock music station going, including on Bruce Dickinson’s show. These guys are going somewhere. Fast.
Complete with a DIY punk metal ethic without the self-conscious posing, ‘Revelations’ is a relentless album full of dark imagery and difficult themes. Imagine listening to Velvet Revolver playing Green Day. Third Bullet are clever enough to draw influences from everywhere and come out sounding unique. It’s simple guitar-bass-drums rock, but given a provocative twist. The ever-so-slightly Floydian ‘Revelations’ (song) has massive resonance. More progressive than the rest of the album, it manages to remain concise and punchy rather than descending into a bloated, sprawling progressive mess.
It’s not all heavy going; the lighter ‘Retreat’ is a surprise towards the end of the album, before we head more in a classic metal direction with the sprawling ‘Day By Day’. ‘My Deviation’ is a force to be reckoned with as a first track, setting out exactly who these guys are in under three minutes of heavy riffing and anthemic lyrics. The must-hear track is ‘Resistance Is Futile’. It’s everything you want from punk metal; it’s anthemic, political, but not too oppressive. It’s a perfect balance between music and statement, and a definite listen for any rock fans.