Formed almost 20 years ago, Evoken are one of the godfathers of epic funeral / death doom metal and among the first American bands to adopt the style, being influenced by the likes of Thergothon, Disembowelment and the early years of Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride. Between 1998 and 2007, they released four albums, all considered milestones in the genre. Now, five years since their last full-length, the band triumphantly returns with Atra Mors, their most powerful work yet. In true Evoken tradition, the album is a step forward from it's predecessor, adding old school death metal elements and incorporating some of the mellowest, most searing moments in their illustrious repertoire. An atmospheric masterpiece, Atra Mors is a crowning achievement that will once again earn one of America's doom metal forefathers a rightful place on the throne.
A**R
Five Stars
The disc is fine. Music is good. The packaging is appropriate.
S**Y
Atra Mors
Bought this cd entirely on a whim having never heard anything by this band before and im glad I did.What we have here I believe is classed as funeral doom metal, and I can see why, it's seriously dark stuff. Very slow, heavy and with an atmosphere of foreboding and despair.Clocking in at 67 minutes with 8 tracks( 2 of which are short instrumentals) the songs are long, but never drag due to the clever construction of how they build up. The opening and title track is a good case of this, starting on atmospheric keyboard, adding a primal drum beat, layering till the whole band kick in.vocally its the growled vocals and spoken word, and this works with evoken as it never overpowers the music. The music itself well constructed with some occasional light within the shade.Standout tracks to me are Atra Mors, Descent into Chaotic Dream and Grim Eloquence. I can hear the occasional bit of early My Dying Bride and Anathema in here, and a slightly Type o Negative style riff in one song but believe me as a whole they sound like none of the above.I will certainly be looking further into this band, and if you are into doom metal I recommend giving them a listen.P.s this is my first music review and probably doesn't read too well. Don't be too harsh
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