Hailing from Cracow, Poland, EVANGELIST is back after a hiatus.It's been almost six years since their last opus. "Deus Vult" was supposed to be recorded in 2015 but for some reasons, it just came out in early 2019. But it's a great way to begin 2019. Using some medieval imagery,especially proper to crusades times, it's quite an original way to bring on the epic doom metal.At first i thought they were from Italy, where christian imagery and theme is far more used than everywhere else. We are exposed to experienced musicians crafting without effort the "Heavy/Doom" in a classical , traditional way. The strength of this album is the vocals. Deep and theatrical,bringing the epicness to the forefront.

In songs like "Memento Homo Mori" the guitars are very melodic and well written.Not too much, just plain effectiveness and without falling into the traps of "cliche". It all starts with a sampling of Templars preparing for religious war.Yelling out loud "GOD WILLS IT!!" which is the title of the song. Slow and validating each notes, it reminds me of CANDLEMASS in the times where Messiah Marcolin was preaching in the shadows of mister Edling. The vocals are inspired and felt deeply. There is a strange accent though that i'm not used to. But it's original in some ways. This is pure Epic traditional doom, if you're into that genre jump head first into this well of epicness. Less notes but each ones are worth it. The guitars are feelings vending machines.

I'm not christian at all but i really appreciate the music. There can't be no doom without church bells ringing hehehe as it ends this nice track. "Heavenwards" offers nice melodies, having two guitars working together helps gaining higher levels of musicality. The drums adds some accents and punch to the song. The vocals are a little opera-like as mister master Dickinson would do.This is quite good. The backing vocals are used to add some mystery to the track.The lyrics are very imaging it all. We can close our eyes and see the story for ourselves." Pathway goes Killing Dying Quia Sanctus Dominus! "

"Prophecy" is a headbanging ready song.Bring the fist up and whip the air with your flaming hair! This is excellent Doom, in its purest form, the way it should be. We have an absolute amazing part of instrumentals cut with guitar licks that makes us want to wear an armor and fight till we die. "The Passing" has something more than its predecessor: acoustic guitars.Nice move. It lights it all, leaving space. The bass is well heard,i love the way it was recorded. No revolution here but it's done so nicely that i don't give a f...A near end solo that makes us reach the summit. The peak, the supreme,the absolute. "The Leper King" is very CANDLEMASS-esque"...."Nightfall" album era. Like i said earlier, singer is a crucial part of this band. As messiah marcolin isn't available anymore, I'll pick this one up and have my doom vocals needs fulfilled at 150%.

"Eremitus (Keeper of the Grail)" has heavy riffing, pounding drums, and an efficient formula used throughout the album that works well and that's not boring at all for the doom lover in you. The chorus is filled with choirs that keeps saying: Eremitus! Keeper of the grail The lyrics are a storytelling that makes the listener take a ride on his horse fighting the good versus evil, claiming it for god.Sword up and showing no mercy. EVANGELIST knows how to doom,they propose something new. Instead of lurking into darkness and the bleakness, they put their efforts into the search of truth against lies, light over dusk, offering the same or even more feelings and emotions that all major "epic doom" bands from the major leagues offers. They sound like a power metal band playing in the doom yard and succeeding. This is not their first release and this is brilliant as usual. Keep on dooming guys!