Of course to some remaining anonymous is a publicity stunt. Just a perverted way to tease people’s attention and let them rambling on if, yes or no, there’s a so-called ‘famous’ guy hidden behind the mask… But to others, it is truly an act of faith. A way of underlining on the most plain and honest way that at the end of the day, only music matters and that as such, true artists that truly believe in its sheer power just have this urge to give up their individuality and step aside to let it shine unconditionally. And EVANGELIST is a prime example of such mentality… All you need to know about those mysterious lads is that they’re a bunch of experienced musicians coming from Cracow, Poland and the first of their kind in this country. End of story. The rest is up to the music and boy, oh boy, if you hadn’t been exposed just to it yet thanks to their debut album ‘In Partibus Infidelium’, get ready to sweep off your feet. Yes, EVANGELIST doesn’t even pretend hiding where they are coming from. Classic and epic doom with a heavy-metal background à la CANDLEMASS and strong religious themes is the name of the game and right from opening track “Blood Curse”, you know you’re dealing with pros here and not simple imitators. Not only is ‘Doominicanes’ an extremely well-produced and not only has it more than a hint of the kind of vibe DOOMSWORD and other Italian power metallers have learnt to master on the battlefield and with all its epic buttons pushed to the max (final track “Militis Fidelis Deus” is a 12 minutes+ pure delight!), there’s a religious fervour going allthrough the record that really sets them apart. But a fervour tormented by guilt and suspicion and that gut feeling that the Heaven Above ain’t exactly what’s in store for us. While opening track “Blood Curse” is inspired by biblical stories akin to what REVEREND BIZARRE did with “Wandering Jew” for instance, “Pain and Rapture” is about the ravage of the inquisition and “Militis Fidelis Deus” about the first Crusade, but from a crusader’s point of view. Yes, EVANGELIST may seem to have seen the light and about to walk towards it. But is there, really, something waiting for us on the other side? And will you have the guts to find out?
