From a band as old as its genre, and more than a decade after its last material, a wholesome and astonishing record such as this puts a smile to the face of the more demanding fan of the Greek black metal scene. Such a scene, with an undoubtedly impactful presence in the early 90’s, formed a defined sound that multiple bands have reproduced later. Evil Summons Evil takes this sound and presents a version of it magnified a thousand fold, playing basically what I imagine when I think of actually good Greek black metal, and this mark is not met by most of the newer or even older bands I come across from the country today.
Deviser teach us how to employ symphonic elements and perfectly align them with purposeful, melodic guitar lines, epic passages and variety that overshoots the average black metal album by far. Evil Summons Evil is all the more thrilling the more you listen to it, with amazing features (listen to the operatic vocals of Androniki Skull in “Of Magick”, or the guest appearances of Heljarmadr / Dark Funeral & Efthimis Karadimas / Nightfall in tracks 7 & 10 respectively) and exceptional inspiration across the whole of the record.
All tracks are easily listenable and naturally evocative, and the record stands as the evolution of this geographical subgenre, neither grossly experimental nor a slave to its own nature. Deviser simply present how things should be done in this territory, in which they are already renowned. If you think Greek black metal is all the same, you are kind of right. If you would like to listen to how it sounds at its best, here is a fitting candidate for you. Should I mention that the cover art was done by the absolute legend Kris Verwimp?
DAMAGE: 4/5 [Brilliant]
Release date: 10 Feb 2023
Release label: Hammerheart Records
Listen: Bandcamp
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