Review : ELUVEITIE – “Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion”

Eluveitie – Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion
released April 17, 2009 on Nuclear Blast

Expecting their usual dark and moving folk/death metal sound, I was shocked to hear how much celtic folk influence was in this album, and that it was almost completely acoustic. Definitely not a bad thing for a change. It has a very mystical and melancholic tone to it, and it’s atmospheric! The kind of music you get lost in, but enjoy it that much more. Anna Murphy, the hurdy-gurdy player of the band, took on a much larger role of vocals in this album. And still, as folky as it is, Chrigel’s voice chimes in at exactly the right moments with the satisfying and heavy sound of his growls. Though personally, nothing can beat their album Spirit, this album is definitely a great listen. All but 2 and parts of 12 are in the dead language of Gaulish, this album is completely FCC appropriate. =)

• Track 1 is very slow, simple and eerie… and beautiful! Folky instruments, and a low voice of Nemtheanga reciting words.
• Track 2 is a very up-beat folky song with Anna singing and the occasional faded growl of Chrigel.
• Track 3 is barely a song. More of an interlude.
• Track 4 is fairly quiet for the first minute and a half, but picks up in volume and Chrigel chimes in with his harsh vocals soon after. A very spiritual and catchy song.
• Track 5 is a soft and quiet song… almost an interlude but very folky and beautiful.
• Track 6 is upbeat with Merlin Sutter rockin out on his drums as well as Chrigel on his vocals. Makes you want to do a jig!
• Track 7 is a great folk tune, with little-to-no metal influence but still somewhat reminds me of Korpiklaani with the heavy chanting and bagpipes.
• Track 8 is heavily focused on Anna’s vocals, but a perfect amount of back up vocals to support her. A great giddy folk tune.
• Track 9 is almost completely instrumental until the last minute of it where everyone kicks in with whispering and chanting to a great melodic tune.
• Track 10 is just weird… Anna/chicks whispering. I don’t know.
• Track 11 is a traditional folk song – a great performance instrumentally but not original and doesn’t show Eluveitie’s specific style.
• Track 12 is once again heavily focused on Anna singing. A simple tune with some great acoustic guitar work.
• Track 13 is a nice, atmospheric folk tune. Heavy pipe influence.
• Track 14 a light folky beautiful song with Anna singing her clean celtic-sounding vocals.
• Track 15 is a soft, slow and enchanting instrumental tune.
• Track 16 is an upbeat folky tune with heavy flute influence and the occasional chant.
• Track 17 is a great ending to the album, with a change of the fast-paced, heavy electric guitar chugging and a great combination of Anna’s clean vocals and Chrigel’s (and others) heavy death growls during the chorus.

*A.A. Nemtheanga of Primordial guest appears in tracks 1 and 7! =D

Try: 4, 13, 17
Folky goodness: 8, 15, 16

Track list:
01. Sacrapos – At First Glance
02. Brictom
03. The Arcane Dominion
04. A Girls Oath
05. Within the Grove
06. The Cauldron of Renascence
07. Nata
08. Omnos
09. Carnutian Forest
10. Dessumiis Luge
11. Gobanno
12. Voveso in Mori
13. Memento
14. Ne Regv Na
15. Sacropos – The Disparaging Last Gaze
16. Slania (folk medley)
17. Omnos (early metal version)

Rating: