If you’re unfamiliar with Canada’s Threat Signal, that’s understandable, as Revelations is only their fifth full-length, but they’ve been around since 2004. They haven’t exactly been prolific, especially considering this is the first album in nine years. I honestly never thought I’d see another album, so this was a welcome surprise.

Their sound is described on Metal Archive as “technical metalcore.” While that’s an apt descriptor, I wouldn’t be telling the full story if I didn’t mention nu metal as part of their metal recipe. Specifically, I am referring to the weird era of Fear Factory without Dino. In fact, Threat Signal’s vocalist, Jon Howard, recorded an album with Raymond Herrera and Christian Olde Wolbers under the band name Arkaea.

Burton C. Bell, however, Jon Howard is not. His vocals are higher and, honestly, a bit nasally. It’s not an insult, as I enjoy them. If you’re looking for an example, check out “Non-Essential.” The down-tuned guitars, along with the furious drums, must make you think of the band I mentioned a couple of times already. Once the song kicks in, it’s made clearer. They do fit in a quick solo after the second verse, but I have mixed feelings on the chorus. I can’t tell if the lyrics are right-wing regarding the COVID pandemic, considering the phrases concerning mass control. At least they’re hitting things at the height of their popularity.

There are also some vague religious references throughout, but with the backdrop of personal struggles, such as on the closing track, “Live for You.” While this is certainly the quintessential ballad, it’s not without heft. It’s an almost mournful closer, and while I enjoy the musicianship and the instrumentals, I cannot identify with the lyrics. It’s only because they are overtly religious in this instance. I am all for musicians and everyone expressing their faith in music, but I often find it, as the kids say, “cringeworthy.”

Maybe the religious lyrics had been there all along, and I didn’t notice. However, judging from the lyrical content, I get the feeling this is, in fact, new. That’s fine as long as bangers like “Death Will Find Us All” remain a part of Threat Signal’s repertoire, which comes out swinging almost immediately with harsh vocals and a poignant snare. There’s quite a guitar lead present through a significant portion of the track, too. As mentioned in the promotional materials, they do indeed have blazing solos. The finger-tapping riff at the end is just icing on the cake.

A couple of tracks later, “Revelations,” the title track, is a banger as well. Harsh vocals accompany the in-your-face snare, but, of course, there’s a clean chorus. The approach of the guitars changes several times, with a scorching riff, then cleaner for a brief portion past halfway. The band brings in some synth work for accompaniment near the end, which adds some bombast.

I know I mentioned the religious lyrics in some parts, but don’t let that deter you. This is still an excellent, catchy metalcore album. There’s no shortage of riffs or hummable, meaty hooks, either. I’m glad Threat Signal is finally releasing another album. I’m not sure I will be purchasing a copy as they’re on a label that has defended some very questionable happenings for other bands in the past, but it didn’t stop me from buying the last Hail Spirit Noir, so it’s not off the table.

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