One of the first things we did when we relaunched Revolver — a year ago, as of this issue — is very consciously throw out the rule book in terms of what a "metal magazine" can be. From the stories and music we cover, to the design, art and photography, to the tone and perspective of the storytelling. "There are no rules" is a mantra that we've repeated many times over the last year as we've sought to revolutionize the way that heavy music and its associated lifestyle is covered in the media.
It makes sense then that we should cap off Year One of Revolver 2.0 with our first-ever "Rule Breakers" issue. Across it's pages, we profile bands, artists and individuals who have defied authority, challenged norms and pushed boundaries in their own unique ways, and done so from places of passion and positivity, not just antagonism. We celebrate rule-breakers because revolution cannot happen without them. Art, culture, attitudes, politics — nothing can progress without renegades to lead the way, push us out of our comfort zones, inspire us to march against the tide, sometimes before we even know that we're ready for it. In the words of thrash rebels Power Trip: "Take a look at your life, tell me to what do you aspire? I want to know how far you're willing to go ... If not now, then when? If not us, then who?"
Five Artists You Need to Know Now
Sasscore quintet SeeYouSpaceCowboy, doom-pop chanteuse Nicole Dollanganger, nu-metal–inflected hardcore kids Vein, Brazilian thrash trio Nervosa and goth rapper Wicca Phase Springs Eternal
Ho99o9
How a rap-punk duo from New Jersey is reinventing two genres at once
Power Trip
The Dallas thrash crew is on the brink of major crossover success. But don't expect them to stop challenging their fans, pushing musical boundaries and wearing their progressive politics on their sleeves.
Youth Code
Sara Taylor was a seasoned tour veteran before she was even in a band. As one half of a disruptive L.A. industrial duo, she's found confidence and purpose as a badass vocalist willing to be literally tortured for her art.
Nothing
Hardcore kid–turned-shoegazer Domenic Palermo's troubled past could have left him a broken man. Instead, it drives him to find beauty in a world full of pain.
This cover and story layout features set design by Steve "ESPO" Powers, famed former graffiti artist and current studio artist
Muslim Girl, Syrian Refugee, Metalhead
An 18-year-old from Aleppo looks back on escaping a world where the music she loves is taboo
This story features illustrations by Becky Cloonan, the first woman to draw the main Batman title
Zeal & Ardor
From pissing off underground purists to branding fans — for Manuel Gagneux, mashing up African-American spirituals and black metal was just the beginning of his provocative path
Nine Inch Nails
Stunning images from Trent Reznor's game-changing period around 1992's Broken and 1994's The Downward Spiral
Bam Margera
The Jackass star may be sober now, but he's still making trouble
Plus, an original acrylic on board by Dan Seagrave (who has done album art for Entombed, Morbid Angel, Suffocation and many more), inspired by Pantera's "Cemetery Gates" and the Abbott brothers, Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul
