Evol

Evol is an Italian black metal group from Padova, active from 1993 to 2000. It plays a medieval, gothic and symphonic form of black metal, and is also described as an Italian medieval/black/gothic metal act.

Style and sound

The band describes itself as a pure atmospheric black metal act. Its music is slow, dark, sad and repetitive, with an occult and medieval character. Keyboards are central to the sound, used not only for atmosphere but also as a major melodic element and sometimes as the basis of songs. The group also uses two vocalists: Giordano Bruno, known as Prince of Agony, sings in a black metal style, while Suspiria, known as The Princess of Disease, provides female vocals. Guitars and drums reinforce the melodies, and guitarist Samael von Martin, known as Lord of Sorrow, also plays flute.

Recordings

Evol releases three albums on Adipocere Records: Saga of the Horned King, Dreamquest and Portraits. Saga of the Horned King appears in 1995, Dreamquest in 1996 and Portraits in 1999. On Dreamquest, the tempos are faster at times and the songs are more complex, with a wider range of sounds and instruments. That album also uses a broader set of vocal approaches, including gothic, death, opera, black metal and female styles, while the keyboards remain prominent and the rhythms become heavier in places.