Eva Can’t, one of the weirdest band names out in Metalsphere. The RMR crew came across this here outfit a few times, but it never quite clicked. Somehow we always were busy with something else. Or their eclectic style didn’t quite sync with the undercurrent of the day.
After a series of highly malevolent Extreme Metal records, our brains were about to explode lately. So, something more thoughtful would suit nicely to soothe the Review Desk’s overheated neurons. Fortunately, My Kingdom Music just came out with one of their offerings that often managed to pique our interest in the past.1 Not because they emerge from rock nirvana or shine ominously in the putrescent light of Metal o’ The Abyss. To the contrary, it’s the out-of-the-box feel, this sense of experimentation and adventure, of truly pushing the boundaries out beyond the end of the universe. Of being different outside of the beaten paths the usual rock and metal act usually takes. And this goes hand-in-hand with the Eva Can’t‘s desire to push boundaries and redefine musical expression. So, it appears that Emisferi impacted here at the right time.
The record sprawls about a massive 69 minutes of airtime. And that will undoubtedly rub many an adept of crisp delivery at all cost the wrong way. But before you depart in horror, hear me out. There is more than meets the eye here. First, the theme describes – and I quote “… a journey from pole to pole on an uninhabited planet.” A trip from North to South through the hemispheres (’emisferi’ in Italian). From the Northern ice (‘ghiacci boreali’), over the Northern seas (‘mari boreali’), the equator, and on through the Southern seas and ice (‘mari australi’ and ‘ghiacci australi’). A neatly chiseled concept that won’t get you lost in navigation on strange foreign planets.
Many a band would have chosen Atmospheric Black Metal to get there. After all, this genre still serves many protagonists well in this kind of fantasy universe. But this act didn’t. Instead, Eva Can’t chose a somewhat barebone Post Rock and Metal setting. One that only rarely uses growls to support the limited stretches of heightened anxiety, with everything else being covered by clears. In addition, a large number of instrumental parts will greet ya. Emisferi uses the instrumentals to highlight an endless cruise through strange waters and ice, with Simone Lanzoni only ‘occasionally’ chiming in with vocals. But when he does, there suddenly is drama and power (La Volta or Di Stanze Assenti) behind often smooth sailing. All of the Mari Boreali series contain no vocals whatsoever. That’s a pretty hefty stunt not many modern bands would endeavor. But here we go, and it’s well executed, too.
Emisferi‘s meat and potatoes sit somewhere in between Alcest and Cult of Luna. A happy mélange of atmospherics and ambients, anything ‘post’, and some notions of Gothic melancholy. And all of that is seconded by the occasional inclusion of tasty tremolos and pretty limited metallic extremes. And who can blame them, Eva Can’t sail about endless waters devoid of humanity under a sky they don’t recognize. That truly warrants soaring, cathedral soundscapes high on an abundance of dreamy stretches of acoustic guitars, majestic axe leads, and tasty synth interludes, all whispering of vast oceans and icebergs straight ahead.
Now, if you’re looking for sturdier fare with some real metallic oomph, head straight down to Agartha Sommersa or La Forca. In other words, Emisferi bites rarely, and only reluctantly succumbs to it toward the end of the tracklist. Now, the overall production – apart from a few scratches and hiccups – works fully in line with the overall concept. The negatives truly are minor.
So, in conclusion, Emisferi clearly won’t slake the thirst for aggressive metallic delights of the more beastly metalheads. Instead, Eva Can’t created a thoughtful and well-arranged record, full of quiet musings as it goes about its meandering pathways and strange courses to nowhere. This is a record for some quiet time in front of the fire. A moment when the wind howls outside and you’d wish you’d travel to some far-off planet for an in-depth exploration. And lastly, may we also suggest consuming this record in one sitting. This album is an immersive experience that won’t survive too many stops along the way.
But – one disconnected question remains. What is it that Eva can’t? The RMR crew’s still confused.
Record Rating: 7/10 | Label: My Kingdom Music | Web: Official Band Site
Release Date: 20 September 2024
- But – interestingly – not many finally made it onto our roster.-↩