Some chapters in the story of our lives seem less complete than others. There are moments of exhilarating triumph, but many of them are overshadowed by an abrupt conclusion. These memories do not seem to fade, leaving us to wonder – can I ever rewrite the ending, or is it too late?
The struggles we all face within, few ever have a chance to rekindle the ghosts of the past, but Hard Rock outfit Revis have done just that in recent years. A band with a story that began back in 1999, when the band was just out of high school, and, in a few years, became known as Revis, caught a lot of attention, and by 2002, signed to major label Epic Records. A big move: soon, the band went from a local Carbondale, Illinois, act to a nationally recognized Rock band, with their debut single “Caught in the Rain” featured on the 2003 Daredevil soundtrack.
A single introduction, “Revis to the broader world, “Caught in the Rain” reached number 8 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts before they released the debut album Places for Breathing in May 2003. An album that debuted at number 1 and sold 10,000 copies in the opening week, it was a very impressive beginning for a band like Revis on the scene at the time, and they went on to become a well-respected up-and-coming band that toured with the likes of Pearl Jam and Evanescence. Then seemingly out of nowhere, Epic dropped the band in 2004, mainly as collateral damage from a roster downsize after Epic’s merger with BMG. A factor that put a massive strain on Revis, slowly the seams came undone, and by 2005, the band was all but broken up.
A tragic ending to a band that had so much promise, they tried to rekindle a fire five years later with new music for a sophomore album, but it all fell apart, this time spelling what appeared to be the end of Revis for good. Again, quite unfortunate, twelve years later, the bond of friendships and a love for music became the foundation for rebuilding Revis from the ground up, but this time with much more experience on their side.
Wisdom that can only come from living, learning, and vowing not to make the same mistakes twice, Revis surprised their fanbase with a comeback EP on May 2, 2024, calling it Bottles of Lightning. Featuring the entire original five members (Vocalist Justin Holman, Guitarists Robert Davis and Nathaniel Cox, Bassist Bob Thiemann, and Drummer David Piribauer), these were an entirely newly crafted set of six songs. A move the band made to start fresh, rather than revive unreleased songs from years earlier, the EP gave way to a three-city tour in early summer 2024, with Revis appearing as determined as ever.
In fact, 2025 finds Revis back with the long-overdue second album, Killing Time. An album coming over 21 years after Places for Breathing, it seems almost inconceivable, but here we are as the band alters the pages of history. An album released independently by them on November 7, 2025, the bulk of it was written and recorded by Holman, Davis, and Piribauer, while well-respected Producer Michael Beinhorn (known for his work on Soundgarden’s 1994 album Superunknown and Korn’s 2002 album Untouchables) served as a consultant through the process. Promoted by three strong singles, first you had the emotional title track out in August, followed by “Stardust (All Around Us)” in October, and “Honey Castle” out just days before the whole record’s release.
With these records acting as a good sampling, for those who are early to the reunion party in 2024 and know the tracks off Bottles of Lightning, it should be noted that the sound of Killing Time is a bit more refined. Perhaps a result of deeper chemistry together after spending time performing live and writing more intensely in the 12 months prior, Killing Time has immaculate production and tremendous energy. A total of ten songs (all newly written and recorded for this release) create a keen atmosphere throughout the record, exemplified by dark, introspective lyrics about life, overcoming obstacles, and seeing through it all. Also brought to life by gritty guitar tones, haunting layered vocals, and an emphasis on melodies, Killing Time is a Hard Rock record that will remind you of a time 2 decades earlier, when songwriting felt more human than it does presently.
A set of songs that come from the heart, you can tell that Revis stays true to themselves, rather than keeping up with any current trends. With that in mind, there is no downtime through Killing Time, but only a cohesive record. Led by the three singles discussed, you also have memorable songs like “Call Me Paranoid,” “After The End,” the mood-setting “Heavy Medicine,” and the fantastic “From the Distance” with blistering guitars sprinkled throughout.
In the end, Revis successfully bridges a two-plus-decade gap with Killing Time. A great collection of music, they prove that while you cannot change the past, you can undoubtedly transform misfortune and regret into something positive. Showing no signs of slowing down, Revis will continue touring in 2026, including shows early in the year and a spot on the Summer of ’99 and Beyond Cruise coming April 17th through 21st with Creed, 3 Doors Down, Daughtry, Collective Soul, and more. All quite exciting and inspiring, Cryptic Rock commends Revis’ fortitude, giving Killing Time 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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