2001's deceptively named Quietus was Evoken's second full album (following 1998's Embrace the Emptiness and 1996's Shades of Night Descending EP) and it found the group taking measures to tidy up the frayed edges of earlier productions, somewhat, in order to come up with more focused and condensed funeral doom sludge. In every other respect, Quietus was business as (un)usual for these Garden State manic depressives, with continent-sized offerings like "In Pestilence, Burning," "Withering Indignation," and the preceding LP title track, "Embrace the Emptiness" (all of them eight to twelve minutes in length!), boasting long, creeping riffs interwoven with desolate melodic lines, and capped with the most guttural, low-pitched growls achievable by the human larynx (courtesy of lead "Evoker" John Paradiso). Not until the moderately galloping third track, "Tending the Dire Hatred," are listeners given something they can really bang their heads to (in tandem with the most prominent synthesizer backdrops yet), and even the synthesized violins and occasional spoken vocals used on "Where Ghosts Fall Silent" and the monolithic title track, respectively, only manage to lift the drapes of sonic oppression ever so slightly. By the time Quietus begins winding down, via the relatively concise "Atrementous Journey" -- a veritable David amidst the preceding Goliaths at but four minutes of instrumental mourning -- exhausted survivors may feel like they've just endured a full week's worth of sensory bludgeoning, instead of an hour's. But then, that's the twisted attraction of funeral death/doom such as this, and with Quietus, Evoken proved they could dominate the genre's peculiarities as well as any band, going on to achieve even more stunning results on their subsequent masterpiece, Antithesis of Light. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, Rovi
I**E
Not for the faint of heart...
When regular doom metal is just too upbeat and happy, when the pain of life becomes too much to bear, when suicide needs a soundtrack, there's only one band to turn to: Evoken.Evoken occupies a lonely subgenre of doom metal called funeral doom, and as the disc begins and "In Pestilence, Burning" bears down on you with all the weight of a fallen god, you'll find the genre to be aptly named. This music takes all the hallmarks of doom to the next level; the music crawls along at a very slow pace, is crushingly heavy, and is very depressing. This is not something you turn on in the background while you chat with your friends. "Quietus" demands your attention, it demands a dark room and plenty of volume.As for its atmosphere, my first listen to this album conjured up an image that I always associate with Evoken now. Let me see if I can paint you a picture. Broken figures shuffle dejectedly through the vast caverns of hell. The despair of their countless years has weighed so heavily upon them that their features are no longer distinguishable; they are no longer individuals, but shapeless masses, so utterly devoid of all hope that they can do nothing but wander aimlessly in their cold prison. They are consigned to an eternity of enslavement to an infinitely cruel fiend who is never seen, but whose presence dominates nonetheless. Listening to this album is like having your heart crushed in a fist of ice with agonizing slowness."Quietus" is not something I listen to very often. I have to be in a pretty dark mood to really get into this kind of music. But on those days, "Quietus" is pure catharsis. If you enjoy doom metal in general, or just want to punish yourself, get this and you won't be disappointed.
G**.
Four Stars
Classic Evoken. Nothing more and nothing less.
S**5
One of the best death/doom bands
If you have any interest in doom metal at all, this is one of those cds that you really must get. Every song on here is crushing, bleak, heavy, and slow yet beautiful at the same time. Quietus is one of the best examples of the genre and if you are into death metal but haven't experienced any death/doom or funeral doom bands give this a try. I advise you to stay open minded though as I know many people who just can't get into these kind of bands because the music is just too slow for them. Anyway this is one of those cds where you can listen and just become engulfed in the music. Every song on here is good but if I can't listen to the whole album at a time I usually end up listening to In Pestilence, Burning or Quietus the most. Also this is supposedly their best cd although I have yet to hear the others so I can't fully comment on that yet.
C**L
* SHIVER * This CD is... scary.
Oh God... wow. EVOKEN's 'Quietus' definitely lives up to all the hype it's getting in the Underground, and elsewhere. This album is most definitely not for the faint of heart, because 'Quietus' almost literally crushes the listener; only the strong will be able to survive an encounter with this * MONSTER * of a Doom / Death Metal album. The closest thing i can compare 'Quietus' to is a huge, dying beast, filled with infinite hatred and malice... slowly, very slowly, making it's way towards you. Eek. My heart beat still hasn't slowed down, and it's been a while since i turned 'Quietus' off. What else can i say? For me, this is not only the Doom / Death Metal album of 2001, it is * THE * album, period. EVOKEN's musical insight is ugly and inhuman, yet somehow they manage to draw a twisted sort of beauty from the lumbering darkness that they, um, evoke. I can't even think straight enough to type a decent review because of the sick knot this CD has left in my stomach. Once again, I'm warning you: this is * ONLY * for the brave... the rest of you will hate this CD, not because of the music itself, but because of the absolute darkness that it conjures forth, from within yourself. Proceed with caution. It's music like this that keeps my dwindling faith alive in what works of power ordinary human beings can create. I have to go to the bathroom.
M**L
Funereal Leaders
Evoken are, without a doubt, the heaviest and slowest band out there. They are the epitome of funeral metal, following and perfecting the legacy of dISEMBOWELMENT, the creators of this genre. Spectral death metal vox, crushingly slow guitars, and pounding drums with copious amounts of reverb on everything combine to create an experience that transcends the inner being. Sorry to get all poetic about it, but listening to Evoken really does create an enlightened feeling.Similar bands include Shape of Despair, Mournful Congregation, and Remembrance, to name a few. Also, Evoken has a newer album called "Antithesis of Light." It is another must-have for funeral metal lovers. I ordered it through CMDISTRO for around $12.
A**R
funeral doom at its very best!
this is only my second doom-metal album (the first being the phenomenal "turn loose the swans" by my dying bride) and it already one of my favourite metal genres. but this cd really shattered my preconceptions of how truly dark and sinister music should sound like. from the very first minute this album made me sit down and listen to it without doing any other work. mind you, this is not background music. u cannot just put this on and do your other chores. this cd will take you to the darkest corners of your mind and haunt you even after it stops spinning in your stereo. one reviewer quiet rightly said that this was music fit for satan's funeral, i couldn't have put it better myself.anyway u have to have this album, but this cd is definately not for everyone! also try out shape of despair's "angels of disterss" another amazingly dark and depressing album a great band.
O**T
Crushingly heavy death/doom
Not many bands can play doom music as good as Evoken can and this album proves it. From the mindblowing beginning with "In Pestilence Burning" to the hauntingly heavy atmosphere of "Where Ghosts Fall Silent" this album is filled with great moments. As a matter of fact there isn't a bad moment throughout the whole album. Seriously now if you're looking for the one doom metal album to get you into the genre, this is it! Very highly recommended!
