Evoken - Quietus

Over the years numerous bands, Slayer in particular, have been producing what many people feel to be the perfect soundtrack to Hell. Up until recently, I too thought that upon entering Hell, one might be greeted with the sounds of “Angel of Death,” “Hell Awaits,” or even “Dead Skin Mask.” That was until I encountered Evoken.

Never in my life have I heard an album that permeates this much pain, suffering, or despair. Quietus is a slow, brooding, twisted, maniacal slab of pure funeral doom at its very best. If Hell is the eternal place of mass suffering like most believe it to be, then there’s no doubt that this is the album that’s providing the background music.

Evoken’s quest for musical damnation has been going on for quite a while now. Things started in 1992 when guitarist Nick Orlando and bassist Rob Robichaud formed the band Funereus. In 1996 after several lineup changes, including Robichaud’s departure, Funereus evolved into what is now Evoken. Embrace the Emptiness, the band’s first full length, hit stores in 1998.

I must make it clear that Quietus is not an album for the casual listener. Nor is it an album for someone that’s in a really good mood. But for those days when 63(!) minutes of abysmal funeral dirges is just what you need, this is perfect. The music here is very simple. Slow, crushing guitar riffs combine with small amounts of keyboards, rumbling bass, and absolutely thunderous drums. The vocals might be the most nightmarish part of this whole album. Low, gruff, completely unintelligible, and produced in such a way as too sound like they were recorded in a damp cavern somewhere. In fact, the overall effect the production has is quite remarkable. Despite it’s utter heaviness, there is a sense of openness to this album, as if you were stuck down in a dark hole, yet could still see a small glimmer of moonlight above. This gives your mind room to provoke its own hellish visions, as opposed to a doom band like Warhorse, who absolutely suffocate you with so much sound that there is no room for your mind to wonder at all.

I encourage doom fans and other extreme metal fans to check this out, but please heed my above warnings. It might be best to check out the song samples at the bottom of this page if you have any doubts. This is most certainly not for everyone, but for those that can appreciate this type of musical expression, this will most definitely appeal to you.