Eluveitie
Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion

I must say that never before have I had such strong doubts about writing a review as I did with this album. I listened to the songs countless times and found myself more confused than clear-headed. In the end, extremely frustrated, I resorted to reading other reviews of this very strange album, but the situation hasn't improved much. I've read about people who immediately appreciated "Evocation" but also many who, without much thought, dismissed it, considering it nothing more than a "commercial," poorly executed, "out of tune" work. Some even hinted (between the lines), that this was just trash; but that's just my impression, no offense intended, please forgive me!
After all, we're talking about a band that, in just two albums, has captured global attention, with a substantial following, and has risen to prominence also thanks to the support of Nuclear Blast, a major record label, as any Metal fan would know. If all this is just luck, then I must assume that all those who have loved, and still love, Eluveitie, who have trusted them, even investing money, have made a blunder as huge as Africa.
But I don't believe that at all, and in the end, I found my courage. So simply: not caring about the orthodoxy that would have us, even if caught up in folk manias and the like, always angry and aggressive. In this case, it's not so, and I want to say it and repeat it several times. Why? Because this album is not a Metal album, and it doesn't even come close.
It is a folk work. Entirely played with the aid of old and new acoustic instruments, mostly sung by female voices, and without any growl. Not even as a backdrop. Nothing. The only thing granted to the listener is some evil whisper (like in "Gobanno", for example), but nothing more.

So for those who appreciated "Spirit" before, and certainly "Slania" after, like myself, there will certainly be uncertainties and differing evaluations. What is interesting to note, however, is the bravery of Eluveitie. They could have easily continued to "strike while the iron is hot," as an old saying goes, and released another album like "Slania II," but instead they have embarked on a path, at least for now, that will surely highlight their originality, but will also bring them a flood of criticism, I'm sure. Instead of becoming rigid and sticking to orthodoxy, giving more body and substance to their sounds, they chose to steer towards more melodious and complex shores. But at least they are well-made and certainly structured and thought in such a way that they constitute a separate chapter in their discography. Which has the downside of inevitably being compared to its predecessors, potentially raising doubts about the project's quality and honesty. But this is a concept that, in this case, should be entirely rejected, because first and foremost, even for them, the rule applies that one should not expect anything less than "fabulous" from a band like Eluveitie which is no longer new to such genres and is not unknown to most.

For me, who already this year went crazy for a release like that of Wardruna (which, by the way, is the subject of a nice review already published on Debaser, and which I invite you to read), which is the most avant-garde, fascinating, hypnotic, and certainly original in this vast sea of Folk, I can only be delighted with the choice made by Eluveitie. Also because, beyond the amazement, here we must also talk about the contents that are there, are solid, and can also enchant.
Here there are tracks that could only be classified as "fillers," not in a pejorative sense, mind you, but as atmospheric interludes, they also contribute to rendering the aura of this album ancient, expansive, and undoubtedly fascinating, still. As well as the proper songs, starting from "Brictom", following with "Voveso In Mori" and ending with "Memento", perhaps the highest peak of the entire tracklist, do the same thing.

So, perhaps this is the interpretative key to this album in the end: no connection with the "just passed" but rather a reinvention, knowing how to dress in even softer, more characteristic, more mysterious clothes to discover, maybe even losing a few more listens, because contrary to what is believed, this is not a commercial album. Not at all.
It must also be said that, if it weren't for everything I've written so far, there would definitely be something to discuss regarding the elaboration of the lyrics and the content in general: no one can tell me that they often hear a band sing and declaim verses in Gaelic. This certainly does not give good justifications or eventual mitigations to a work that if it had nothing else to say, could certainly be shelved and forgotten; but I assure you that if you know how to listen to it, this album will be appreciated, and in a big way.

For those who simply can't avoid having to listen to buzzing guitars, a blistering drum, etc., etc., then these Eluveitie are to be avoided worse than the plague, talking also for those who are already accustomed to Folk sounds combined with Metal. No wonder then. There just needs to be a healthy attitude towards open-mindedness, speaking in terms that are more demagogic than possible. As for the rest, it will be time (and sales statistics to be extremely materialistic) that will judge how valid this proposal is.