Evoke

Alright, an improvement over BonePeeler? Well im still quite undecided, but overall the album is quite good. My only problem with this album is that some of the songs are just TOO repetitive. I quite enjoyed the energy behind "Churist Churist", and thought that "Maiden", "Tomb", "Evoke" and "Perdition" were awesome tracks. On the otherhand "Krolok" is probably the weakest track on the album, requiring more substance, followed by "Breathe". The album art I thought was quite original and some of my favorite. A good package.

I'm rather torn on this album. I can't honestly recommend it, and I can't completely dismiss it. It's true, as far as :W: goes, one could certainly do better. But the gems that are on "Evoke" are some of the best offerings that Ratzinger has made since "Wreath of Barbs." I suppose that the easiest way for me to tackle a review is to look at the individual tracks. (For evaluation, I'm including the two remix tracks as well.)

1.) "Maiden": Oh dear. This track should be taught as a textbook example of how to butcher a perfectly good theme and musical hook. I believe that most of the hostility toward this album stems from this opening track, which is absolutely abysmal. This is a shame, since Jane M. does an excellent job with "Hold" later in the album. Here, she caterwauls some of the most ridiculous lyrics I have ever heard on an industrial album. Not even Leeb at his most goofy (an increasing trend, sadly) can top the clunky ineptitude of these verses. Rudy, shame on you for taking a great theme like a rape/murder victim waiting for her violator in the afterlife and making us groan and laugh at it. It's doubly unfortunate that the waltzing lilt of the chorus is so well done, as we can't really enjoy it because of the previous assault on our ears.

"D-" (spared the "F" only for the sing-song of the chorus, which is creepy.)

2.)"Churist Churist" - OK, I've looked around, and I still can't find the translation of these lyrics. I'm still not even sure what language this is. Overall, though, this is one of the less noxious tracks, even if it does fall prey to repetition and weak musical arrangment. Plus, it's kind of catchy, but honestly the Recently Deceased remix of it is far superior. Definitively average, but with some flair.

"C+"

3.) "Don't Go" - Aww, how sweet. But really, I think the song needs a hook (sarcasm.) Seriously, repetition is your enemy. Quit beating a dead horse. The music arrangment is nice, and Jane M. is a little less annoying - I didn't want to impale her skull with rebar. In fact, she almost sounded like Kate Bush... which she really does in her next track, but without the wailing. Still, too boring to be really enjoyable.

"C"

4. "Evoke" - This track is one of the better ones, as the title track rightfully should be. Catchy as hell, danceable, and suitably brooding lyrics with ONE major exception, which really almost killed me with giggling: "When I get evoked." Such an awful amount of cheese, Rudy. You were doing so well, and now I can't take one of your better songs seriously. Besides, I think you meant "invoked?" Still, this one's a good one overall.

"B" (for repeatedly breaking my enjoyment with that groaner line.)

5.) "Tomb" - I'm not really sure why something this lively would be called "Tomb," but this is one of the better industrial/EBM instrumentals I've heard in a while. It's almost up there with some of VNV Nation's instrumentals (closest quality comparison is "Electronaut") One of the "big four" of this album.

"B+"

6.) "Hold" - Here it is, the best one on the album. Jane M. is spot-on this time, with perfect pitch, timing, and enunciation and no maudlin wailing. The music features great harmonics and unusual turns, and Ratzinger's lyrics are subtle yet potent. Very stylish, infectious, and memorable. Why can't the rest be like it?

"A"

7.) "Krolok" - Umm... this one doesn't do it for me. Too much contextless sampling, weak, tinny music, and no real sense of identity. A "filler track", but marginally enjoyable compared to others.

"C-"

8.) "Breathe" - Tinny, frenetic synth, and more vocal sampling without context. This time, though, it comes across as vaguely offensive and incomprehensible. Maybe this could be the new skinhead stompy-stomp theme. I'd skip it.

"D"

9.) "Rush" - Que the lame lyrics again. The music sounds like it belongs on a console VG soundtrack. More laughable than threatening, and plagued by repetition.

"D+"

10.) "Perdition" - Obviously Rudy's been watching "Lord of Illusions." Give it a rest. Unintentionally funny lyrics that sound like they were written by an ESL student due to the awkward ordering, and almost J-Pop-esque riff undercut what might have been a good track. As it is, it's easily forgettable.

"C-"

11.) "Obsessio" - Once again, no idea on the lyrics. But I do like the spoken-word quality of Clara S. The arrangment's a little stale, but ultimately not repulsive.

"B-"

BONUS TRACKS

12.) "Churist Churist" (Recently Dead Remix) - MUCH better than the original. Dire, apocalyptic, and crushing. Clara S. sounds utterly soulless, like an automated emergency message (Fire. In. Cryo. Storage.) The last "good" track, only eclipsed by "Hold," and a definite keeper.

"A-"

13: "Maiden" (Nersoton Remix) - UGH. How dare you assault us with this TWICE, Ratzinger? Thanks to this, the album begins AND ends with a turd. The only thing that this version has going for it is the fact that Nersoton was wise enough to eliminate an entire verse, and axe Rudy's growling "maiden, maiden, maiden." There's no saving this turkey, though.

"D" (for torturing us less.)

So there you have it. You can either get it for the good points, or pass it for the bad. I hope this helps.

I havent been a long time Wumpscut fan, just the last 8 months or so and I've only heard 5 albums, but this one is one of my favorites that ive heard. Has that nice dark-electronic sound that doesent sound like cheesy techno-trance. I guess this is a good album for new Wumpscut fans. The "old school" fans dont seem to like it as much.

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