Evocator
– Chronicles of Pestilence
Sweden
Self-released
/ Independent
Formed
in 2007, Sweden's Evocator release their latest EP and follow-up to
2010's "Untitled" demo, which is a pretty big gap of
inactivity. Nevertheless, they have decided to come back and present
the world with three emphatically crushing tracks of gloomy death/doom clocking in at 30 minutes long.
There is a hefty bass presence in the tracks that adds to the heaviness of the music, along with a guitar rhythm that is nothing short of soul-crushing. Evocator are masters of mid-tempo death/doom and mostly stay within that range while repeatedly subjecting the listener to an overwhelming sonic assault reminiscent of vicious hammer blows to the face from start to finish. The vocals alternate from vicious growls to psychotic high-pitched screams and are perfectly executed. This is one of those death/doom bands that puts more emphasis on bludgeoning the listener's mind with pure aggression than impressing girls with sweet melodies, not to mention the atmosphere surrounding this album is purely dark and from another realm.
You might assume this is an atmospheric black metal band based on the greenish colour and forest on the cover, but that could be your biggest mistake – or did you not see the hooded figure staring at you from the mist? That hooded figure is Evocator and they have come to bring us death. All in all, a strong and devastating EP recommended to fans of quality death/doom. (HT)