Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion

Eluveitie | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nuclear Blast
• ASIN: B001SWGOP4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,509 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

ELUVEITIE EVOCATION I

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Neither metal nor pure folk, but pretty cool, January 15, 2010

By 

Matthew Schwarz (Bridgewater, nj United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion (Audio CD)

For fans of Eluveitie's previous work, this isn't anything like that, as there's not really any black metal, or even metal influence. Yet, it's not a real folk album, either - I have plenty of straight-ahead Celtic (and even some Scandinavian) folk CDs, and this doesn't sound like that. It IS folk-influenced - there's the obvious presence of the folky acoustic instruments, and Irish/Celtic melodies pop up throughout. The singing doesn't sound Celtic to me - it reminds me of folk-pop bands from Scandinavia, particularly Varttina, which is a kind of cool, energetic sound. The drumming is the only thing that bugs me on this, it tends to have that overstressed "3" on the 4/4, like modern pop-rock (almost techno-ish), although it's not terrible - but it's certainly not Celtic/folky sounding. The overall sound is very polished, modern, professional recording quality, and it sounds good to me.
But then, I don't need a straight-ahead folk album by Eluveitie, there's plenty of that on the market; and they've got two and a half pretty solid Celtic black metal albums out (and there's more by bands like Cruachan and Waylander if you want more), and I'm pretty sure they'll go back to their metal style after this, so it was cool to hear something different. (Finntroll similarly did an "acoustic" 3rd album, then returned to their folk-metal style for the next couple).
So, I agree with the people who commented that it sounds somewhat pop-rock, but since it retains the folk/pagan/ancient Gaelic influences of their previous recordings, it still is better and more interesting than anything you'll hear on the radio - I mean, it would "fit in" somewhat with some modern radio, but it would still stand out and if I heard it on the radio, not knowing what it was, it would be the only thing that would interest me, and I'd run out and buy it! Overall, it's a cool CD with an unusual and interesting sound, and I like it quite a bit. (There is actually a scene of modern folk and medieval pop/rock that this fits in pretty well with, although some of those bands have a goth/80's/punkish rock basis that I don't like as much).
It's still pretty energetic, but will do for those times when you don't want to totally rock out or scare the company, but want to listen to a little Eluveitie.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you just need to bang your head..., November 19, 2009

By 

astrobone (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion (Audio CD)

...then yeah, this is probably not the Eluveitie release for you. But I saw them last night live, and the new songs worked great up alongside Inis Mona and Uis Elveti. I actually had to listen to this release a couple times before I was feelin' it, and now I can't get enough, and it's been within grabbing distance of my car stereo for months. Anna's singing is beautiful on it, and I especially like her and Meri's whispered vocals on a lot of the tracks. Many of these I first thought were instrumental tracks on first listen, but then realized that there's vocals on most of the tracks, they're just back in the mix more (in a good way). Really the only track I ever skip is track 7, which I don't quite care for, but the rest is solid, and I think it really hangs together well as a cohesive album, with the obvious singles not sticking out too much. In other words, I didn't really feel like there was a lot of filler, as submitted in other reviews. That said, I think the singles "Omnos" (which has a great video out for it), and "Brictom" are hooky as all get-out, and grow on you like moss. The album is acoustic, regardless of what other reviewers have said, though I think you have to compare it within the context of their other albums. No, not "MTV Unplugged" acoustic, but come on, in comparison to Slania or Spirit, it's acoustic.

Apparently the next album is close to done, and it's back to straight-up Eluveitie metal, so no worries if you can't hang with this one. I think it was a nice little left turn for the band though, and it really shows them stretching their legs and broadening their sound. Meri has a solo acoustic album out there too, if you liked this release. I've only seen it available at their show, but it's called "Irij", and it's very dark and chill.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as I expected, but still excellent!, May 26, 2009

By 

Keith Dattilo (jersey) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion (Audio CD)

I have to say that I think this is a pretty good release from the band. I was really enjoying how Anna Murphy got to take the lead on the vocals for this album otherwise I don't think it would have been as good. If your into music such as: Faun, Neun Welten, and Nest I suggest you give this album a try. And if you really were into this Eluveitie release and haven't heard of any of those bands, check them out for sure.

I'm going to have to disagree with the first review of this album and say that the album sounds GREAT in the gaulish language. I think this is a solid effort by the band, and no, not one second of the album gives off and Linkin Park feel.

I was disappointed though however, I expected something better. Some of the songs don't even have lyrics to them and give off a very immature vibe when being compared to musicians or groups in the celtic/folk genre.

It's worth picking up though as it provides a great atmosphere for background music.