Artist: Necromantical Invocation
Country: Greece
Label: Zombi Danz Records
Formats: 7″ EP
Year: 2024
The ‘Dogme Et Rituel De La Haute Magie’-demo by Necromantical Invocation, originally released in 2021, can definitely be considered a resounding triumph. Not only because it was musically one of the most interesting releases of the year, but certainly also because it saw a release on both cassette tape by Medieval Prophecy Records/Zombi Danz Records and on both vinyl and CD by Helter Skelter Records. The 4-track demo offered some of the most intriguing takes on Greek Black Metal, creative, atmospheric and thoroughly evil. It took Echetleos, the lonely soul behind Necromantical Invocation, a few years to come-up with a follow-up to that great demo, but here it is: a new 2-track 7” EP released by Zombi Danz Records.
While it might have taken Echetleos a bit of time to set things up in the proper way to conjure the right feeling and ambiance, it was definitely worth the wait. With his experience in bands like Opus Magorum, Kawir, Disharmony, Ithaqua and Caedes Cruenta it actually shouldn’t have been a surprise that he was able to pull off something extraordinary. Still, while most of these bands more or less stay within certain frames and musical views, Necromantical Invocation feels like an entity that is more free to go where the natural flow of the music leads it.
Although he plays different instruments in his numerous bands, Echetleos is said to be primarily a bassist. Whether true or not, judging from the music it sounds very plausible. Both tracks are bass-heavy with the bass guitar taking the center stage for the most part. In doing so a parallel with both Necromantia and early Barathrum is easily drawn, yet that wouldn’t do justice to the music of Necromantical Invocation – at all, even. Obviously such bands have played a role in constructing the quite complex DNA of Necromantical Invocation, but you should also add bits and pieces of Mortuary Drape, Varathron or even the great Abysmal Grief to the mix. The rocking parts make up most of the songs, but the keyboards add so much to the atmosphere of the music. Still, it is the contrast of the low rumbling bass guitar and the moody and sinister sounding intermezzos and organs and the creative solo guitars that makes Necromantical Invocation something truly special.
It might be a bit too avant-garde for some fans of Greek Black Metal, but to those who share the same love for late 80’s and early 90’s occult Black Metal and, let’s say, some of that mid 90’s dark Gothic-tinged recordings from the Holy Records roster, might just eat this 7” EP for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
