Album Details

• Artist: Evocation
• Album: Apocalyptic
• Label: Metal Blade
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2011-03-01

Swedish Death Metal legends Evocation have just released their third full length record in almost twenty years of existence. "Apocalyptic" builds off the touring experience of those years, offering tight rhythms and the skilled interplay of guitarists Marko Palmén and Vesa Kenttäkumpu.

In addition to the kind of relentless, wall of emotional sound inherent in Death Metal, songs like "Sweet Obsession and "Psychosis Warfare" break a bit with tradition, the former adding some drum lines similar to Ministry and Maiden-eqsue soloing, while the latter is often more Thrash than anything else. The rest of the record, though, is an insane wash of blistering metal, with "Parasites," "Reunion in War" and "Curse on the Creature" being the most crushing tunes. Vocalist Thomas Josefsson does an admirable grunt, but here the vocals and even more so the lyrics are quite beside the point. Backed by a killer rhythm section of Martin Toresson on bass and drummer Janne K. Bodén, the Palmén/ Kenttäkumpu guitar attack is the overwhelming star of the set.

Lyrical and punishing, capable on sinister and punishing grooves, "Apocalyptic" is the best outing for Evocation since those memorable early demos.  For the Death Metal fan, aside from authentically brutal riffage, inspiration counts, and Evocation's blending of melody and hot but tasteful solos ought to fit the bill.

User Reviews and Comments