Review: Evoken – Mendacium
Monastery Depression
When it comes to funeral doom, Evoken has been one of the bands flying the flag for the USA as an early pioneer for the genre in North America. They have been a band that has mostly released very good records in the sub-genre while having their own sound that mixes guitar riffs from death/doom, pacing changes and blends well with the background keyboards. After the release of their 2018 record, Hypnagogia, they are now back 7 years later with their 7th album, Mendacium. The album’s concept aims to tell the story of a 14th century elder monk suffering from illness that prevents him from leaving his room in the monastery.
Opener “Matins” is a good introduction to Evoken’s sound for someone unfamiliar with them and what you’re going to expect from them during this album. One thing this band thrives on is their execution in changing their pace at the right time—which for funeral doom is needed. Sometimes funeral doom bands take a long time to change things up while Evoken does this quicker than others. The next track, “Lauds” shows off the doomier riffs that sounds incredibly lovely and large throughout the song. I really like the final section with the dueling guitar leads that makes for a strong ending.
Another thing I noticed in this album is the way the band switches between deep growls and the spoken vocals that still sounds immensely heavy. It also gives a representation of the album’s story of suffering; Evoken does a good job creating the sense and feeling of suffering in their music. After a short, chill guitar-focused interlude (“Prime”) follows “Terce;” what I really like with this song is the harsh beginning, the stompy drums, and the variety of riffs throughout. The bass guitar building up to the aggressive final section of the track is excellent as well. “Sext” is an intriguing track; for almost half the song, it starts calm in its guitar work with deep talking and whispery vocals. However, as the song progresses it builds up with strong dual leads and doomier riffs.
Going for a more atmospheric vibe with “None,” the band blends in aspects such as keyboards; while focusing on the suffering atmosphere, it maintains the heavy and depressive feeling from the music. Building up to the final track is another interlude, “Vesper”. As opposed to the previous interlude, this one is solely keyboard-focused which makes for a change even if it feels a bit too long. Now onto the final track, “Compline,” that I really like the pacing of. The galloping vibe on this song adds another touch and it’s a good and gloomy way to close off the journey through an interesting album.
After 7 years since their last release, the wait was worth it with Mendacium adding another very good album to Evoken’s discography. The band knows how to make funeral doom interesting with the varied pacing & riffs. It is additionally helped by the atmospheric elements with keyboards and slower riffs while maintaining the heaviness you get when you listen to this genre. It also helps that you get elements from death/doom and it doesn’t outstay its welcome on a certain section for ages; when they transition to some fantastic and aggressive faster parts of their sound, it adds intensity and freshness. The concept of the album’s story fits the band’s music, giving you the sense of suffering as well as doom and gloom. Fans of the band will be happy with this long-awaited latest effort and even if you’re not fully sold on the genre, Evoken is a good band to get into it that will you give an intensively heavy but also atmospheric and melancholic journey.
4/5 Flaming Toilets ov Hell
Mendacium is out now on Bandcamp.
