Following the release of an EP in 2017, Folk/Melodeath quintet EVILON have released their newest, debut album here entitled "Leviathan." From their Facebook page, "Evilon is a Swedish Metal band that plays Melodic Folk/Death Metal. It was created in 2015 by Kenneth Evstrand and Jonny Sjödin. In the beginning the musical style was Melodic Death Metal in the style of AT THE GATE, AMON AMARTH, and IN FLAMES, among others. During 2016 the music evolved and is now inspired by Celtic and Nordic folk music. We found our bass player Björn Wildjärn and our lead growler Joel Sundell early on. It then took some time before the band was complete but in August 2016 we finally found our drummer Anders Hagen that met our requirements and we could really start our journey. Today, the band release their debut full-length album titled "Leviathan," which contains ten tracks.

"Eye of the Storm" leads the album. A violin provides the opening sound, leading to guitar which picks up on the melody. The vocals are raspy Death Metal offerings, and the chorus is a full on assault. "In the Shadow of my Grief" is the next offering, in the time meter of 3/4 combined with 4/4. This and the clean vocals really give it an edge that is hard to describe. It's very beautiful overall, and somewhat sad. The title says it all..."in the shadow of my grief, I cry." The title track, "Leviathan," opens softly, with violin and drums, and then pounds you deeply and with all of the fervor that Death Metal has to offer. Yet, the alluring elements are always present. A ferocious interlude bursts in after the halfway mark to remind you that you are still alive, and ends with clean guitar notes and a fade out.

"Serpent Eye" is the perfect combination on what both elements have to offer on the album. Angry, Death Metal tempered with beautiful and thoughtful guitar work, which playfully tantalizes you as it creates that wonderful harmony. "Sound of the Tombs" is heavy and aggressive, and deep and cavernous in its sound. About half way in, it turns on a dime and offers an acoustical interlude followed by some emotionally laden work. "The King of a Thousand Suns" sounds as magnanimous as you would imagine. Lumbering, ominous guitar work fuels this mid-tempo song, which remains low in the registry, dark and sinister. A clean guitar passage reminds me of the thousand suns dying off, and what is left when all turns to black? "The Sacred" opens with some clean guitar notes and a lead guitar melody that is solemn. There are harmonic clean leads in the chorus, which contrast nicely with the Death vocals in the verses.

"Welcome Home" opens cautiously but eventually leads to a full on sound. It backs off a bit with twin guitar harmonies but returns quickly with a firey resolve. "When the Leaves are Falling" is the closing song. It is depressing and invigorating at the same time. When all the leaves have fallen, winter is upon us. The cold, darkness and bleak skies taunt, and beckon you to give in, but your resolve keeps you going. In the scope of things, this is a pretty unique album. The band has done an excellent job at taking the Melodeath genre into new territory that I haven't heard before. In some ways they remind me of the Scottish act CNOC AN TURSA. But more than this, they have created a nice palate of diversity on their debut "Leviathan" that is very promising. Give this album a listen and pay attention to what they put out in the future...I have a feeling that their next outing might be a real threat.