Jump to content

Incantation


Thrashman

Recommended Posts

This band definitely deserves its own thread, what with the influence it's had.

I've listened to a fair bit of Incantation material over the years, and seen the band live, but have never quite managed to get 'into' them.

Are you a fan? Any recommendations? What is their most accessible release?
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Everyone goes on and on about the first 2 albums Onward to Golgotha and Mortal Throne of Nazarene but honestly everything I've heard from them is good. If you like Asphyx, you will probably like Incantation. Old school death metal played slow to mid tempo instead of hyperspeed, everyone the last few years has been calling it death doom. Incantation also is very dark, almost a blackened vibe but this is death metal not black metal, if that makes sense.

I'd start with Onward to Golgotha, it's a classic for sure. It's death metal so accessibility is not really a desired trait.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like some Incantation albums a lot, but haven't ever really clicked with Onward To Golgotha despite repeated listens over the past, eh, 23 or 24 years. My favorite is Diabolical Conquest, with Daniel Corchado from The Chasm on vocals -- something about this one just comes into focus for me, more so than the rest of their material that I've heard.

 

@the_thrashing, I agree about the blackened vibe -- they have a flair for creepy angular tremolo-picked melodies, and more of a focus on atmosphere than a lot of other DM from that era. Vicious without being "brutal".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, FatherAlabaster said:

I like some Incantation albums a lot, but haven't ever really clicked with Onward To Golgotha despite repeated listens over the past, eh, 23 or 24 years. My favorite is Diabolical Conquest, with Daniel Corchado from The Chasm on vocals -- something about this one just comes into focus for me, more so than the rest of their material that I've heard.

 

@the_thrashing, I agree about the blackened vibe -- they have a flair for creepy angular tremolo-picked melodies, and more of a focus on atmosphere than a lot of other DM from that era. Vicious without being "brutal".

The producton is better on that album too, More fast parts. It would be a better place to start if you want cleaner production. Great album.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, FatherAlabaster said:

I like some Incantation albums a lot, but haven't ever really clicked with Onward To Golgotha despite repeated listens over the past, eh, 23 or 24 years. My favorite is Diabolical Conquest, with Daniel Corchado from The Chasm on vocals -- something about this one just comes into focus for me, more so than the rest of their material that I've heard.

 

Now you're taking - this sounds awesome! Think I'm going to have to order myself a copy.

FatherAlabaster - always delivers the best recommendations ?

I really like the Chasm, by the way, Farseeing The Paranormal Abysm in particular.

2 hours ago, the_thrashing said:

It's death metal so accessibility is not really a desired trait.

Some kind of accessibility is essential for me, much as I equally don't tend to enjoy anything too clean... each to their own and all that though anyway.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 10 months later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Join Metal Forum

    joinus-home.jpg

  • Our picks

    • Whichever tier of thrash metal you consigned Sacred Reich back in the 80's/90's they still had their moments.  "Ignorance" & "Surf Nicaragura" did a great job of establishing the band, whereas "The American Way" just got a little to comfortable and accessible (the title track grates nowadays) for my ears.  A couple more records better left forgotten about and then nothing for twenty three years.  2019 alone has now seen three releases from Phil Rind and co.  A live EP, a split EP with Iron Reagan and now a full length.

      Notable addition to the ranks for the current throng of releases is former Machine Head sticksman, Dave McClean.  Love or hate Machine Head, McClean is a more than capable drummer and his presence here is felt from the off with the opening and title track kicking things off with some real gusto.  'Divide & Conquer' and 'Salvation' muddle along nicely, never quite reaching any quality that would make my balls tingle but comfortable enough.  The looming build to 'Manifest Reality' delivers a real punch when the song starts proper.  Frenzied riffs and drums with shots of lead work to hold the interest.


      There's a problem already though (I know, I am such a fucking mood hoover).  I don't like Phil's vocals.  I never had if I am being honest.  The aggression to them seems a little forced even when they are at their best on tracks like 'Manifest Reality'.  When he tries to sing it just feels weak though ('Salvation') and tracks lose real punch.  Give him a riffy number such as 'Killing Machine' and he is fine with the Reich engine (probably a poor choice of phrase) up in sixth gear.  For every thrashy riff there's a fair share of rock edged, local bar act rhythm aplenty too.

      Let's not poo-poo proceedings though, because overall I actually enjoy "Awakening".  It is stacked full of catchy riffs that are sticky on the old ears.  Whilst not as raw as perhaps the - brilliant - artwork suggests with its black and white, tattoo flash sheet style design it is enjoyable enough.  Yes, 'Death Valley' & 'Something to Believe' have no place here, saved only by Arnett and Radziwill's lead work but 'Revolution' is a fucking 80's thrash heyday throwback to the extent that if you turn the TV on during it you might catch a new episode of Cheers!

      3/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 10 replies
    • I
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/52-vltimas-something-wicked-marches-in/
      • Reputation Points

      • 3 replies

    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/48-candlemass-the-door-to-doom/
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • Full length number 19 from overkill certainly makes a splash in the energy stakes, I mean there's some modern thrash bands that are a good two decades younger than Overkill who can only hope to achieve the levels of spunk that New Jersey's finest produce here.  That in itself is an achievement, for a band of Overkill's stature and reputation to be able to still sound relevant four decades into their career is no mean feat.  Even in the albums weaker moments it never gets redundant and the energy levels remain high.  There's a real sense of a band in a state of some renewed vigour, helped in no small part by the addition of Jason Bittner on drums.  The former Flotsam & Jetsam skinsman is nothing short of superb throughout "The Wings of War" and seems to have squeezed a little extra out of the rest of his peers.

      The album kicks of with a great build to opening track "Last Man Standing" and for the first 4 tracks of the album the Overkill crew stomp, bash and groove their way to a solid level of consistency.  The lead work is of particular note and Blitz sounds as sneery and scathing as ever.  The album is well produced and mixed too with all parts of the thrash machine audible as the five piece hammer away at your skull with the usual blend of chugging riffs and infectious anthems.  


      There are weak moments as mentioned but they are more a victim of how good the strong tracks are.  In it's own right "Distortion" is a solid enough - if not slightly varied a journey from the last offering - but it just doesn't stand up well against a "Bat Shit Crazy" or a "Head of a Pin".  As the album draws to a close you get the increasing impression that the last few tracks are rescued really by some great solos and stomping skin work which is a shame because trimming of a couple of tracks may have made this less obvious. 

      4/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 4 replies
×
×
  • Create New...