GÉVAUDAN (England)
"Iter"
(Independent)
Release date: October 4th 2019
Genre: Doom metal
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England has produced a vast number of doom metal bands, starting in the early seventies with Black Sabbath and Pentagram, among others. Bands like Cathedral, Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride were probably among the most prominent names at the time, and though Black Sabbath and Cathedral are no longer active the remaining bands still are, and have continued to add material to their discographies.
That being said, the British underground doom metal scene is flourishing with new bands popping up continuously, and since the beginning of this blog page this writer has been fortunate enough to discover quite an amount of such acts.
The most recent band I have been introduced to is GÉVAUDAN. Formed in 2013 in Hertfordshire in the southeast of England, I would believe their music is inspired by their own local history, though this is not confirmed by the band themselves. Hertfordshire is an area in Hertford that was assigned to a fortress that was ruled by Edward the Elder in the year 913. He was King of the Anglo-Saxons from 899 until his death 25 years later, and as this area is now as one of the eight home counties that surround London, I imagine Hertfordshire's inhabitants are proud of their history.
GÉVAUDAN's music is dark and gloomy, just like you probably would expect from anything in this genre. "Iter" is their first full length album, although they have two EP's released in 2014 and 2016, and a single that came out in 2015.
The almost eleven minute long "Dawntreader" is the first out of five tracks on the album, and takes the listener through an atmospheric intro with delayed guitars and soothing vocals. It is hard to keep my mind from wandering off into the realm that is created by just guitars and vocals, but that's the genius with this type of music. Nothing happens fast, and it allows the listener to get emotionally involved. The first half of the song is more atmosphere oriented, but builds up and unleashes emotional fury towards the end. A good opening track that leaves a good first impression of the band.
Whereas "Dawntreader" was focused on atmosphere, "Maelstrom" is slightly more riff oriented, sludgy and epic. An obvious reference to Bruce Hamilton's riffs would be Tony Iommi himself, as he creates great melodic riffs that can easily be compared to anything from "Vol. 4", which becomes even more prominent on the next track as well.
"The Great Heathen Army" shows an even more melodic side of GÉVAUDAN. The riffs are varied with more detail and color, and the lyrics are no less than a real treat. "Saints of Blood" incorporates more of the ambience that the delayed guitars created, and I feel the material is becoming a bit repetitive. Not in the sense that riffs are being repeated forever, but this song particularly has the same kind of feel that "Maelstrom" had. Not at all a weak track, but it loses a bit of identity along with the prior tracks.
"Duskwalker" is the album's grand finale, clocking in at just over fifteen minutes. Another composition with a lengthy ambient intro, but the epics are supposed to be like this, right?
In conclusion, GÉVAUDAN's debut is a very promising effort done by the band. "Iter" might be an album that needs a few rounds before it really gets under your skin, but be sure it is an album that is made to take you on a journey.
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Tracklist:
1. Dawntreader
2. Maelstrom
3. The Great Heathen Army
4. Saints of Blood
5. Duskwalker
LINE UP:
Adam Pirmohamed - vocals
Bruce Hamilton - guitar
Andy Salt - bass
David Himbury - drums
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