Metal Underground.com

Evocation’s first full-length, “Tales From the Tomb,” presents an excellent example for describing Swedish death metal. Although originally released in 2007, “Tales From the Tomb” appears like a forgotten gem of Sweden’s golden age, the ‘90s, when the Swedes refined the sound that would come to characterize Gothenburg and Stockholm.

Evocation’s history dates back to the period in question. They released two demos of great quality, but disbanded before crafting a full-length. Now their debut, only five years old, receives its first reissue, and should find more speakers now that Cyclone Empire Records has Metal Blade helping. This one surely spurned a few old-school insiders to dust off Evocation demo cassette tapes hidden in the attic.

“Tales From the Tomb” crosses the line between black and death. The vocals are set at higher tones, giving the release a similar feel to God Dethroned and Necrophobic. “Phase of Fear” has a catchy rhythms built on amps-overloaded-with-distortion riffs. The rhythms rise slowly and fall gently, then speed through with the chaotic speed and reckless abandonment of “Christine” taking revenge on “the shitters.” The drums hit hard and fast, too. There is a popping, tight drum sound on “The Dead.” This track not only reflects their death metal compatriots, particularly the atmosphere of Hypocrisy, but also black metal bands, such as Marduk.

“Tales From the Tomb” certainly seems to channel many of the albums and bands that have come out of Sweden over the past twenty years. In this regard, the band seems to lack identity. However, given the fact Evocation emerged in the early '90s, some of these artist may have been influenced by Evocation. Whatever the case, “Tales From the Tomb” should come with a sticker stating, “The ultimate Swedish extreme metal band!”