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That Atra Mors, Evoken’s new album, is so devastatingly heavy and lush is not an accomplishment in and of itself – though it is devastatingly heavy and lush. But in a genre as well-worn as funeral doom (can’t believe I just typed that), it would have been easy to copy the moves, and to stand on the shoulders of giants. A survey of the metal landscape in 2012 reveals more than a few bands opting for that route, and hey, not that many people aside from a few whiny bloggers (ahem) really give a shit whether or not you reinvent the wheel.
No, Evoken deserve our hearty congratulations for taking that base – a lush bombast of overwrought synth textures, mystical chants, and thunderous doom chords – and folding in some discordant subterranean grit: scuzzy, divergent guitar harmonies, and general sonic filth that draws the funeral doom sound from its storybook settings into a place more contemporary, real, and – frankly – scary.
There’s a lot to digest here, with many threads introduced then interwoven; lotta ins, lotta outs. By the final track, “Into Aphotic Devastation”, you’re worn out, perhaps overstuffed with what you’ve just consumed. And that’s okay. This is a record with hard-earned riches, where your eye alights upon it on your shelf and you think to yourself, “ah, it’s that time again.” This is an album of blood, sweat, and tears; one to be savored, perhaps infrequently, depending how often you can handle a comet crashing into your skull.
To paraphrase a recent comment made by an insightful colleague, we need more “blood, sweat, and tears” albums like Atra Mors to replace the “serviceable” ones that clutter our soundscape, sometimes without us even noticing. Evoken strike me as a band that pour it all out for an empty venue, not just in terms of energy but vulnerability and evocative power, always striving to finish first even if there are no challengers. You may have noticed it’s getting a lot harder for bands to sustain their efforts in the current climate, let alone to opt for extra credit. God bless whatever thankless enthusiasm inspired Evoken to share an opus like Atra Mors with the world.
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HEAR ATRA MORS
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Evoken – “Descent Into Chaotic Dream”
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BUY ATRA MORS
Midheaven (CD, mp3 )
Profound Lore (CD)
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This album absolutely crushes.
BTW:
>stand on the shoulders of giants
Evoken ARE one of the giants.
“Evoken ARE
one ofthe giants.”Hahaha…yep.
Agreed. The record is fantastic, and certainly a front-runner for album of the year, with only Panopticon’s Kentucky being an outside contender.
Clever linkage. Nice review too, though I read it already anyway
Thanks! It was relevant and didn’t draw too much attention to itself.
I can’t wait for winter and this album would be perfect for it.
Agreed. This thing is the best thing to come along in forever. I want to see the album art blown up to full LP size–robed druid types in a pinkish-black wasteland, so fucking good.
I still think esoteric is my favorite funeral band but fuck yeah this is easily their best since quietus
I have constant arguments with my boyfriend about who is better, Evoken or Esoteric. I love both bands to death, but for me Evoken possibly slightly have the edge – they’re pure funeral doom; Esoteric are a bit more, well, esoteric in their sound.
Cannot wait to wrap my head around this release too.
Interesting, I don’t think I’d call either Evoken or Esoteric “pure funeral doom” – that seems reserved for Thergothon and Skepticism, or more recently Profetus. Not that it particularly matters, I’m just curious as to what people think are the stylistic constraints of ‘pure’ funeral doom. Seems to me that both Evoken and Esoteric have got enough doom/death thumping, and Esoteric’s got boatloads of bad-acid psychedelics, to disqualify them.
But yeah, I always have a tough time choosing between Evoken and Esoteric. Based on the immense strength of “Paragon of Dissonance,” late last year I would’ve said Esoteric pretty handily, but now with “Atra Mors” in the mix, it’s neck-and-neck again. A joint tour would certainly destroy the wretched cosmos.
I haven’t yet listened to Evoken, but Esoteric ranks so high on my favorites list that “Atra Mors” just became a must-buy.
I wouldn’t count out Mournful Congregation. Their last album, “The Book of Kings” is absolutely crushing, not to mention lush and beautiful, and in my opinion a benchmark of the genre along with Ahab’s “The Call of the Wretched Sea” from 2006. Just thought I’d add my 2 cents worth. But yeah, long live Evoken!
Shit. Sounds like I need to fucking cop this!
Love this: “This is an album of blood, sweat, and tears; one to be savored, perhaps infrequently, depending how often you can handle a comet crashing into your skull.”
Funny how that describes many of my favorite albums. Burning Witch immediately comes to mind.
Yeah, I have pretty much the exact same thoughts in regards to “Through Silver in Blood.” Even though it’s my favorite Neurosis album by a comfortable margin, I can’t dive into it too often.
Shit. Sounds like I need to fuck a cop’s tits!
Whatever blows your hair back chief. Me? I’m bald.
I did not even mention that breathtaking cover. Holy shit.
I love this line from the review: “Evoken strike me as a band that pour it all out for an empty venue” – because I literally saw them do this. In April 2008 in Helsinki, they played to a near-empty venue (Dante’s Inferno), and absolutely gave it their all. I felt shattered by their set, in the best possible way. (All Helsinki’s metalheads were out of town for a festival taking place on the same night as their gig.)
I have to get my hands on this album ASAP.
I do not like Funeral doom, almost ever.
I loved the song posted.
I need to hear this.
Nobody here has heard Wijlen Wij?
Wijlen Wij absolutely crushes. Yeah, too bad no one knows them….
Not familiar with ‘em, but now I’m definitely curious…
Super stoked to hear this album…that said, it’s gonna take a lot for any band to supplant Mournful Congregation as my favorite funeral doom band.
Hot damn! My wife just called and said my copy (finally) arrived in the mail today from the hand of Mr. Bruni!
(happy dance, happy dance)
Hello. Does anyone know if the EVOKEN – Atra Mors CD version includes a booklet (with lyrics/ artwork) or if it is a plain digipack?