Revenant – Best Medicine (EP)
Revenant (April 11th 2025)
Reviewer: Chris O’Connor
So it came to pass, in the third decade of the twenty-first century, that the most quintessentially American of musical genres firmly took root in the United Kingdom. A wave of outstanding acts emerged, blazing their own trails—and among the brightest is the exceptional quartet, Revenant.
Comprising Sam Lay (guitar, vocals), Matthew Hudson (guitar), Robin Nutley (bass), and Carl Donoghue (drums), Revenant has delivered a truly remarkable debut EP. From the outset, the band impresses with the sheer quality of their songwriting, musicianship, and production—all of which are nothing short of first-rate. The music hits hard, and the production is outstanding, made all the more impressive by the fact that it was handled entirely in-house. Hats off to the band for that!
Musically, Revenant occupies a thrilling space alongside acts like .38 Special, The Regulators, Raging Slab, and classic-era Blackfoot—high praise, and well deserved. Opting for a “short, sharp shock” approach, the band keeps things concise and impactful. Their five-song EP delivers a perfectly balanced sonic punch, showcasing the very best of this Newbury (Berkshire)-based outfit. As the old saying goes, always leave them wanting more.
The EP kicks off with ‘Public Service Announcement’ a full-throttle rocker that makes a bold statement. Sam Lay‘s vocal tone here bears a passing resemblance to Dave Mustaine—only, crucially, Sam can actually sing. Interestingly, his voice shifts noticeably after this track, adding an unexpected layer of intrigue. ‘Best Medicine’ follows with a looser, swaggering groove—hip-swinging and confident, with a massive chorus that encapsulates everything great about Southern rock.
‘Runaway Rage’ leans heavily into Raging Slab and Delta Rebels territory, all greasy riffs and gritty attitude, with standout lead work from both guitarists. It’s an undeniable crowd-pleaser’ ‘Least I Can Do’ slows the pace, offering a more relaxed, Southern-Country vibe reminiscent of CJ Solar, The Scooter Brown Band, and Creed Fisher. Tasteful guitarwork from Sam and Matthew shines, while Robin and Carl hold down a tight, groove-laden rhythm section.
Closing the EP is ‘Miss You’ a mostly acoustic lament that’s both subtle and beautiful. Sam’s vocal soars with emotion, and while it’s hard to pinpoint exactly who he evokes here, the performance is captivating. It’s a gorgeous way to end an impressively cohesive and tasteful debut. If this EP is any indication, Revenant has a very bright future ahead. And as for me—I’m already hungry for a full-length release. Please, sirs… I want some more!
Tracklist:
- Public Service Announcement
- Best Medicine
- Runaway Rage
- Least I Can Do
- Miss You
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