EVADNE

Formed in 2000, originally as Hexenprozesse, the Spanish doomsters later changed to their name Evadne (a demigoddess of Greek mythology). I have been wary of any doom from Spain ever since the misfortune of hearing Golgotha from Palma de Mallorca during the mid-late 90s (who, to be fair, wrote some great music, but wrecked most songs with some inexcusably abysmal death/clean vocals). Actually, discovering the magnificent Nahemah last year restored my faith in Spanish melancholic metal, so I was prepared to listen to Evadne with an open mind. Switching with consummate ease between melancholic doom à la My Dying Bride, Mourning Beloveth, Agalloch etc. to more up-tempo metal, the Spanish 5-piece (now a 6 piece since this release as they've recruited a permanent keyboardist) write and perform music that is beauteously dark and grandiosely epic. Mixing guitar riffs, resonant chords, clean guitar parts, orchestral synths, death growls, female vocals, violin, and sections of affectively played piano, Evadne weave together all the disparate elements into a seamlessly tight fusion engendering atmospheric soundscapes, and the songs never stray from their melancholic essence - even during the up-tempo sections which are underlayed with some skilfully composed keyboard parts. The occasional use of violin (courtesy of guest musician Lady Nott, who also provides the album's enchanting female vocals), is reminiscent of Martin Powell-era My Dying Bride, although only in terms of respectful pastiche. The production is far from perfect, and somewhat bass-heavy in places, although this is kind of apt for the music, and contextually excusable, for 'The 13th Condition' is merely a self-released album. Boasting attractive cover artwork by Morgana of Iberian Black Arts, who has previously worked with My Dying Bride, Ancient and Vesperian Sorrow among others, the CD comes as an attractive package including a glossy booklet with lyrics to all songs. As a self-released album, this is as professional as it gets. However, based on the music alone, I cannot recommend 'The 13th Condition' enough - it is sheer melancholic perfection from start to finish. Evadne are a band ripe for signing and discovery by a larger audience, so go and discover them now for yourselves ahead of the masses!

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Self-released

Album

THE 13TH CONDITION

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

59:13

RELEASE DATE:

2007

TRACK LISTING

1) Intro
2) No One Of Them
3) Awaiting
4) Follow in the Loveless
5) A Decadent Puppet
6) Wounds That Time Is Unable To Close
7) Los Temps E Loch
8) I Will Place Them
9) Torn Cry

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Spain

"...the Spanish 5-piece...write and perform music that is beauteously dark and grandiosely epic."