Local Review: UltraVatic — Revel

UltraVatic
Revel
Self-Released
Street: 06.13.2025
UltraVatic = IAMX + Iszoloscope + Attrition

Previously, we have expected singles and EPs from Provo locals UltraVatic, yet 2025 has prompted the band to release an album in its entirety. The diligence has paid off with a deep dive into sound experimentation. Here, you will find different variations of their own musical quests and their resolution through effects and synthesizers. It is full of surprising twists and abrupt music style changes that, at times, have you wondering which direction they are taking you. This is a fantastic expression of music landing itself into the noise genre.

Revel has three tracks that reflect the best translation of the band’s sound. “Immolation Circle” is a favorite as it reminds me of a journey into the strange or unknown — it’s a dark ballad that’s very reminiscent of the theme from the old television show The Twilight Zone. This track excretes darkness and transcends to the deepest depths of the bizarre. The introduction is mysterious and dramatic, and follows with creepy, almost psychopathic lyrics.The haunting background vocals by Emma Carbine and Micah Thompson really emphasize this obscurity, while Jared Barnum pounds fear into the track with his percussion and completes the mood. You are then taken on an experimental, noise-style section full of scratchy and distorted airwaves, which ends abruptly leaving you yearning for more — if you are into the obscure, that is. I fully recommend listening to this with headphones on so you can enjoy the full experience of the track.

 “Godhome” is my favorite on this release. I am unsure how they were able to resolve the dissonance in the track and come to harmonize, but they did. The noise expression is done beautifully here. The vocals by Hans Hansen are very distinct — his voice shines as it delivers edgy, emotional lyrics without sounding like a whiney, heartbroken soul. Caysi Keller‘s light expression of background vocals harmonize and polish the sound. The music is powerful, and is obviously distorted through the powers of effects and synthesizers, but that is all part of the experimental process that I have come to love. I do feel that this song could be even better if there was more focus on the upright bass that is being played by Field Behrens — I like the addition of the instrument, but the sound barely navigates the effects. As the saying goes, “turn up the bass.” 

“Failstate” stands out because of its dreariness. Deeper, almost unsung, spoken vocals are presented by Dane Heaps, another vocalist for the band. This also sounds like the soundtrack of a horror movie, which I find appealing. The track’s repetitive, harrowing, drone sound carries you deeper into an intended pit of despair. The multi-layered synth and nontraditional effects created by the group’s collective brings light to the darkness and showcases the band’s eclectic sounds.

If unusual and eclectic music is in your personal music wheelhouse of audible delights, then you’re going to be enthralled by Revel. I am anticipating their next release to see which direction they take their sound. —Mistress Nancy

Read more reviews of local music:
Local Review: Melissa Chilinski – Melissa Chilinski
Local Review: MOCSOS – RE DEMOS