Now four albums into their career, you would think that Sweden's Evocation would be well on their way to forging their own path of melodic death metal dominance after a string of solid releases. Well, their latest Illusions of Grandeur is certainly enjoyable to a degree, but like so many other bands in this genre, they have fallen into that 'Gothenburg trap', which could possibly be the kiss of death. "Well of Despair", "Perception", "The Seven Faces of God", and the title track all are heavy, heavy hitters packed with inventive riffing and menacing growls, but for the most part, much of Illusions of Grandeur comes across as second rate Dark Tranquility, At the Gates, In Flames, Entombed, and especially, Amon Amarth. A tune like "Divide and Conquer" seems like a desperate attempt to 'out-Viking' the Vikings, and it fails. In other spots the arrangements are just flat out generic and less inspiring than the most recent Dark Tranquility output, which isn't saying much.
I know there's a lot to like about this band, as they've proven in the past that they can deliver the goods and pump out some punishing melodic death metal, but Illusions of Grandeur is pretty inconsistent and somewhat of a step back for them. A few good tunes but the majority is pretty forgettable.
Track Listing
1. Illusions of Grandeur
2. Well of Despair
3. Divide and Conquer
4. Perception
5. Metus Odium
6. I'll Be Your Suicide
7. Crimson Skies
8. Into Submission
9. The Seven Faces of God
10. Final Disclosure
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