NEW ELUVEITIE ACOUSTIC ALBUM IS FAB(IENNE)
Eluveitie: 'Evocation II - Pantheon'
Released August 18th 2017 (Nuclear Blast Records)
20th August 2017
Words: Steve Göldby
Eluveitie suffered a massive blow last year when three core members departed the band in almost certainly acrimonious circumstances but the 'comeback' has been nothing short of startling and is completed with the remarkable 'Evocation II - Pantheon' album, out now on Nuclear Blast.
Band founder and visionary Chrigel Glanzmann drafted in temporary replacements after the split to keep the show on the road and all but one were later annointed as permanent members, along with the returning Nicole Ansperger and new frontlady Fabienne Erni, who takes lead vocal on every song on the new album, other than the twelve instrumental and almost instrumental tracks.
Chrigel has absolutely no lead vocal duties on 'Evocation II', Eluveitie's second acoustic album, and that is the biggest surprise on this rich opus. It is a bold statement by Eluveitie's mastermind and Fabienne steps up to the plate to carve her mark on this album and claim her new leading lady role in fine style.
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Entirely dedicated to Celtic mythology with each of the eighteen tracks named after one of the Gods of Celtic ancestors, 'Evocation II' has many highlights, among them the haunting 'Belenos', 'Grannos' and 'Aventia' which contain some of the very best violin playing ever to be heard in this genre while the pacey 'Taranis' is just perfect for the live set.
'Ogmios' is almost an acoustic version of 'Inis Mona' whilst 'Antvmnos' is Eluveitie's take on 'Scarborough Fare' but these two curveballs serve to make 'Evocation II - Pantheon' even more interesting.
'Evocation II' is an atmospheric delight and there is no band more accomplished at creating a vision and setting it to music as Eluveitie and while many Metallers may find the first offering from the new carnation of the world's top Folk Metal band a little on the light side, there is spirit, drama and riches aplenty here.
'Evocation II - Pantheon' is very different from 'Evocation I - The Arcane Dominion' both atmospherically and musically with the hurdy gurdy in a much reduced role and the violin having far greater prominence than on it's predecessor.
It's going to be a while before we experience the new line-up's full-blown plugged-in creativity and by then they will have toured the globe so expectations will be high. In the meantime, 'Evocation II - Pantheon' restores Eluveitie to their rightful position as genre playmakers and confirms this line-up's remarkable abilities.
Eluveitie hit the road in October for what is bound to turn into another lengthy bout of touring and how many of the songs from 'Evocation II' are included in the live set is anyone's guess right now. They are all worthy contenders and 'Evocation II - Pantheon' is a more than worthy addition to Eluveitie's incredibly rich portfolio.
Back in July, Chrigel Glanzmann spoke to us about the album artwork and first single, 'Epona':
"Evocation II' is a journey back to the source of it all: Antumnos, the other world. Join us on this wayfare through the Celtic pantheon, the world of the Gods of our ancestors.
"The album cover expresses nothing less but exactly this. It's full of symbolism and meaning and depicts things of deepest meaning and importance in Celtic mythology. The symbol contains the 'great wheel', symbolizing the wheel of the year with the four seasons and the equinoxes – forming the foundations of Celtic mythology.
"The great wheel is framed by a tripartite Enneagram; while three is an important number in Celtic mythology in general, we also face trinity in the Celtic pantheon. While the inner circle contains the initials of the names of the deities revered on this album – arranged tripartitedly according to their relations within the pantheon and place in the mythology – the outer circle utters an invitation as well as a blessing, a magical benediction for the one to dare to enter and set forth on this journey.
"The core of the symbol implies triune symbolism. The depiction shows the god Lugus, who was sometimes also addressed in the plural – Lugoves – since he's a triune god, as well as a tricephalos. The 'one with the skilful hand' and 'artisan of all skills' is depicted and a combination of two important symbols: On the one hand he's shown as 'high king' (and druid of druids), a typical Gallic symbolism of an essential meaning and significance.
"On the other hand he's framed by the Gallic 'lord of the animals/lord of life' symbolism: The character surrounded with diverse animals, but being strongly connected with all of them at the same time.
"So after all, the album cover vibrantly and mystically expresses the content of 'Evocation II'. Join and let the journey begin.
"The time feels right to go on with 'Evocation II'. It's time for the album.
"'Evocation II' conjures up images and emotions from another time, to eras long gone. As the title already reveals, the concept of the first opus continues and is entirely dedicated to the Celtic mythology. 'Evocation II' takes you into the Gallic pantheon and bows down to the gods after which the song titles are named."
