After the first 6-7 listens, I started to get a sense for the album and what I had to write. I'll be honest with you, I wasn't looking forward to writing this review, because if I had to sum it up into one word it's this: Disappointing.
Evangelion is still very much Behemoth, but it's not as big an improvement over the previous as their other albums were. Not as fresh. The riffs are in focus, driving and defining each song. It's heavy, propably their heaviest yet, but compared to their other albums it's boring. The solos are tame and sound uninspired and overall nothing really jumps at you, forcing you to listen to that song one more time.
The first half is definitely the strongest, with tracks like 'Daimonos' (With the only really memorable solo) and 'Shemhamforash' and 'He Who Breeds Pestilence'. Then we get to 'The Seed Ov I', which has an awesome section about a third into the song that reminds me of Satanica or Thelema.6. Instead of building upon this, they go for some "generic" evil sounding riffage to end the track. After this comes two pretty forgettable songs(I still can't remember what they sound like), which is slightly redeemed by 'Lucifer'.
'Lucifer' replaced another slow and epic song, which I'm sure will show up on their next EP. The closing track we are left with is reminiscent of 'The Reign Ov Shemsu-Hor' I think, and that is certainly not a bad thing, but it falls short compared to it. I can't help but think what we could have had instead.
With all the things produced surrounding the album, including a fantastic art direction and the many video diaries, the album is the part of the machine that doesn't quite live up the rest.
Inferno is the only one that really outdoes himself, providing, once again, some of the best drumming in the genre. It's just a shame it's not enough to save the album.
It's still a good album, despite my unflattering comments, but I expected more from Behemoth. I'm sure it will find it's way into my circulation once the disappointment has washed away, but colour me unimpressed until then.
Too bad. I'll still purchase it once I can. But still, thank you for your honest review.
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