I’ll give something to Evilyn—it has a cool band name. One that won’t make you suspect the ridiculous beatdown it can deliver. And what if I told you this is a “debut”? Could you believe a new band would compete in a year plagued with great Tech Death releases? Except Mondestrunken wasn’t written by amateurs. It features former members from Defeated Sanity, Psycroptic, and many others, which actually gives Evilyn the feeling of being a discreet superband. Cute, but Tech Death lives and dies by how exciting it is. Can this album stand out? We’ll see!
People, this album is heavy, and I don’t mean chaotic—it’s just sheer power and rage. It’s not just pointless shredding or mindless blasting; Mondestrunken always has a purpose. It shows great restraint in achieving its monstrous atmosphere. Evilyn is just evil. Yes, it’s the worst way to describe it, but there’s something sinister about the images it conjures. Sometimes the album feels like being in a plane on fire as it spirals down to the ground. You’re thrown into a labyrinth of uncertainty and anguish. But most of all, I love how Evilyn plays with intricate textures and transitions to make us feel uncomfortable. It doesn’t need to try to be relentless—it knows it can destroy us!
I often complain about production, but in this case, the loudness suits Mondestrunken‘s aggressiveness just fine. Also, listen to that bass in the mix—it’s like it probably eats hamsters for fun! And the guitar tone? It’s adjusted to fit your most intimate nightmares. In a year where chaotic Metal has had excellent ambassadors, Evilyn stands out by being a pressing machine. It’s just hard to find something that feels this deranged yet so solid. For once, a band with a lot of technical prowess impresses with its songwriting, not just its fretboard gymnastics. However, nothing in life is perfect, and we’re about to find out why.
Everyone here is at the top of their game, but one thing that kept distracting me was how mechanical the drums sound. This could be a hidden compliment since it speaks volumes about how absurdly precise Stone is. Still, I would’ve liked a slightly more organic sound. Also, don’t expect Mondestrunken to get overly elaborate—this isn’t a Prog Death project. The focus is on melting your face off, not showing off. Hence, it might end up feeling a bit numbing in its gracious use of violence.
Evilyn is a band to keep an eye on—this is a brain-melting album that deserves the attention of anyone who dares to call themselves a Tech Death or Brutal Death Metal aficionado. I can only be excited about what the future holds for this project. It’s not exactly a revelation, but this album could be part of my list of surprises for the year! Yes, I’m building it in my head right now, for all those bands that, from the heart of darkness, have come to tear us a new one for next to no money! I’m confident this debut should be included. Now, where’s my underpaid intern? They should write this down!
Label: Transcending Obscurity
Release date: 16 August, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/hammerfall
Country: Australia/Canada/USA
Score: Just a ton of evil torment, or 3.8/5.0 for the neck beards
Metal Eclipse Reviews 