Invocation of Nehek

Back in high school, I became really obsessed with discovering new underground metal bands. Luckily I had the internet at my disposal, although I still had to stick with some key techniques to avoid purchasing a dull album that would waste time and cash. I checked the liner notes of my favorite c.d.s, I discovered many rad bands in "thanks" lists and guest musician credits! I seem to recall seeing this band's name pop up in a thank you list of some underground metalcore act, possibly Harlots (I could be wrong here). I searched the name and saw some favorable reviews from Amazon, but never bought the disc and it drifted to the back of my memory.

Well having finally listened to the self-titled Invocation of Nehek full-length a couple times, I have to say that this album brings me right back to the high school days. IoN offer a fairly balanced, yet totally dated metalcore c.d. It won't change the minds of metalcore detractors, but those who enjoy the style should find plenty to enjoy here and get a feeling of nostalgia for the heydays of "melodic" metalcore. Open-minded listeners should check this out, provided you can forgive some awkward elements. Let's begin with the surface elements of the music, shall we?

Metalcore appreciators should immediately be drawn to the guitar tones and musicianship here, plenty of minor-key melody lines with pinch harmonics and supporting breakdown rhythms. There might be too many single-note breakdown riffs here for the average metalhead, however I believe astute listeners will hear how this band mixes it up and (for the most part) keeps things from becoming stagnant. Some good sounding bass and clean guitar parts, nothing mind-blowing here but they add some nice effects. The drummer definitely tears it up, this dude can blast (some of the actual blast beats could use some variation, but it's not too distracting) and plays many complex beats. Really dynamic feeling with the drums, and a really organic flow with the instrumentation overall.

The vocals need some work. There are some awkward sounding vocal lines in various songs on this album. It sounds as if the vocalist is forcing some of his screams, however he does manage to hit some great low gutturals in parts. The dual-tracked vocals sound good where they appear, same with the cleans although I think metal dudes might hate the crooning. Solid performance in general, but definitely could use a little refining.

So, we have functional riffs and standard vocals... it might seem as though this is a case of "been there, done that". Par for the course in a lackluster genre...

Not necessarily.

If you allow yourself to ignore the negative aspects and absorb the feelings and imagery the band is putting out, you will find more than just a standard band here. The album art sums it up nicely; it is modern and sleek, yet fading into the dreary backdrop. Birds soar over calm waters, but dark clouds are looming and the red splatter behind the logo promises blood. The propulsive stock riffage leads into melodic lead lines which evoke a certain sense of longing, not bitter but rather a hopeful sadness. The jackhammer breakdowns are jammed on, their assault and battery is contrasted with an organic looseness. The drums go for the jugular, slicing and dicing with comfortable precision.

Invocation of Nehek's riffs and sound on this album are indeed "dated", but that's not necessarily a bad thing. This music is a solid mash-up of the ideas and scenes in metalcore up to this point (even toying with what would become known as deathcore); you have the tight post-thrash staccato guitar riffs, sad sounding tremolo-picked lead lines, some slamming palm-mutes, and go-for-the-throat hardcore power chord riffs, all built on the foundation of "metalcore as rock n' roll" ideals (pick-slides, power chord- and double bass drumming- worship, loose jamming feel, but structured and focused). "Invocation of Nehek" plays out like an apologist's lamenting reminiscence of a doomed subgenre, it sounds like a "revivalist" metalcore record that was released in at the height of the genre's popularity! I'll say it again: it brings me back to the good ol' days.

As mentioned earlier, certain parts of the album can distract you and take you out of the nostalgic trip. Some build-ups to the breakdowns are overdone, a few riffs here and there seem to do nothing other than propel the songs forward, and there are too many repeats in some spots. Overall, I think there are a few hiccups in the general presentation of the album, but no deal-breakers to these ears.

Basically, pick this up if you like metalcore. Invocation of Nehek showed great potential with this album, and if you listen closely it may surprise you!