Deviser – Evil Summons Evil
Release Date: 10th February 2023
Label: Hammerheart Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Black Metal, Symphonic, Hellenic.
FFO: Rotting Christ, Septic Flesh, Melechesh, Dissection, Moonspell.
Review By: Rick Farley
Greek or Hellenic black metal, as it’s often called, has a rich history of incredible album releases that rivals their Norwegian counterparts. Both drew from the same pool of influences, but differed aesthetically and musically. It is a sound that mixes melody with aggression perfectly, giving an epic grandiose sound to the rawness of the aggressive blackened elements. Merging traditional heavy metal riffs, mid-range warm Mediterranean tones and epic stories rooted in the countries’ mythos with dark tremolo picked riffs and screeching raspy vocals gives Hellenic black metal a sinister yet rich sound all its own, far from the frosty forests of Norway.
Hellenic black metal cult legends, Deviser, return with their first album Evil Summons Evil, since 2011. One of Greece’s longest running bands, their formation dates back to 1989, then as a blackened death and thrash band based in the city of Crete. The band later moved to Athens in 1992 and began releasing demos as a melodic black metal band with atmospheric keyboards, and have since released four full length albums of mystical Greek black metal. Releasing album five, with what could be called a momentous comeback album on Hammerheart Records, Deviser are looking to retake their spot on black Metals lofty throne.
Absence of Heaven’s pedal tone heavy metal riffs set the stage for an ominous atmosphere dripping with satanic imagery. Progressives flourishes of dreamy choirs and synths add incredible dark richness to the already full tones. Huge epic choruses feel grandiose, causing a sense of immense feeling. Interweaving between fits of seething blackened guitars and majestic synths. It’s an effective method for giving the listener a tranquillizing perception of the coming dread. Of Magick featuring the mesmerizing voice of classical singer Androniki Skoula (Chaostar). Her eerily seductive ululation in the background of the swaying rhythmic riffs, extremely harsh vocals and droning synths create an entrancing soundscape. It combines sinister guitars with the beautiful and grand. The heroic warrish feel of the track evokes the image of a thousand hoplites raising their swords to the air, backed by walls of exuberant synth melodies and pounding drums. The horde of Grecian warriors victorious after a brutal battle. When the Lights went out takes a surging, horns up, mid-paced, hooky melody and turns it into a maelstrom of blackened riffs that swarm furiously. Heljarmadr (Dark Funeral/Grá) lends his agonized screams to the song, followed by a saga filled keyboard arrangement, taking the emotion of the track into several different realms. The band has an uncanny ability to invoke many different moods, anger, subdued, aggression, energetic, all within one song that still feel naturally cohesive.
Evil Summons Evil is full of fleshed out stylistic textures, often choosing headbanging groove over raw speed. The furious tremolo picking is used as an enhancement to the songs as opposed to full on rage. Executing restraint in a highly memorable way. Masterfully produced by Psychon (Septic Flesh) this is pure melodic black metal that’s extremely dark, but with illuminating shades of brightness and opulence. The riffs go from full on gorgeous melodies, syncopated traditional heavy metal riffs to brutal black metal frenzy. The tribal drums follow suit with huge grooves and brutal blast beats, while raspy screams mixed with spoken word tell tales of malevolence. Theatrically amplified, this is an album that comes with a story. One that is built inside your own head while the powerful music guides you, like a ship on a stormy Mediterranean Sea. Deviser is a Hellenic black metal journey well worth taking. 
(4 / 5)
