• nl Nederlands
  • en English
AVO Magazine - One click closer to Japan
  • AVO Magazine
    • AVO Magazine, who?
    • Join the AVO Magazine team
    • AVO Magazine presents
    • AVO Magazine Podcast
    • Join AVO Magazine’s Discord Server
    • Submit News to AVO Magazine
    • Support AVO Magazine
  • Japanese Music
    • Music News
      • Music Announcements
      • Musical Snack
    • Curtain-raiser
    • Weekly MV Roundup
      • Weekly MV Roundup
      • About: 7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out
    • Interviews Musicians
    • Music Reviews
    • Music Reports
  • Japan-related Events
    • Anime Events
    • Convention and expo announcements
    • Music Announcements
    • Other announcements
    • Reports
  • Japan-related Reviews
    • Book Reviews
    • Film Reviews
    • Game Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Other Reviews
    • Product Reviews
    • Series Reviews
  • Colophon
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • nl Nederlands
  • en English
No Result
View All Result
AVO Magazine - One click closer to Japan
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews Music Reviews

CD Review: Aldious – Evoke II: 2010-2020

Peter Dennis by Peter Dennis
14 January 2021
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
0
CD Review: Aldious – Evoke II: 2010-2020
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on RedditShare on LINE

A power metal band originating from the sprawling metropolis of Osaka, Aldious have been releasing stellar albums for a decade. Now, with new vocalist R!N on board, the band are undertaking a fresh start and, as evidence of their rejuvenation, release their second self-covers album Evoke II: 2010-2020. An assortment of classics tracks is given new context by R!N who pushes the band in a heavier direction, a move which is sure to win Aldious many new admirers.

Metal fans are notoriously loyal and conservative so it’s always a risk when their heroes swap singers. But long term fans needn’t worry as it’s the same Aldious only with R!N’s warm, walnut textured vocals finding the group less cutesy and more crushing. Any fears that Aldious have lost their magic should immediately be allayed by the jack-hammer riff that heralds the arrival of Luft. Originally appearing on 2010’s Deep Excited album it’s rendered far weightier by R!N whose voice provides a nice foil to the bright and shiny Iron Maiden twin-guitar styling.

Creating all sorts of havoc in the space between your speakers is Re:Fire. Something of an artillery barrage it arrives with all guitars firing and drums that detonate like depths charges. However, a brief ambient interlude adds a moment of respite in the maelstrom and only serves to highlight the metal which bookends the song. Another rocker follows in the shape of Believe Myself (also from 2015’s Radiant A opus) and it’s not until we reach the fourth track, the appropriately titled Reincarnation, that the band ease off the throttle a little. Opened and closed with a beautiful acoustic motif the ferocious melee in between trades speed for power and creates an interesting tension of opposites.

Throughout Evoke II: 2010-2020 the interplay between guitarists Yoshi and Toki is exceptional and most definitely on Confusion. Performing together for 10 years has developed a chemistry that borders on telepathy and they trade soaring solos and raucous riffs in double quick time and with apparent ease. Those who never dig beneath the surface of Aldious’ glamorous presentation are seriously missing out on some great music and tracks like White Crow could quite easily hang with classic Judas Priest.

Aldious © 2020 VAA, SKIYAKI Inc.

Aldious © 2020 VAA, SKIYAKI Inc.

Although a compilation, this album has a tracklisting that runs like a regular record and it ululates perfectly over its 41 minutes from the rapid-fire opener to ethereal closer Fragile. It’s an emotive finale that soars like an eagle on a breeze that suggests closure and a new beginning. Likewise, Evoke II: 2010-2020 closes one volume of a book and starts a brand new chapter.

Evoke II: 2010-2020 Tracklisting:

1. Luft
2. Re:Fire
3. Believe Myself
4. Reincarnation
5. Kanasii Otoko
6. Confusion
7. White Crow
8. STEP
9. Fragile

Evoke II: 2010-2020 (European Edition) is released by JPU Records on 29th January 2021*

*Link to JPU Records is an affiliate link, AVO Magazine gets a small commission per purchased release and buys new releases to review.
Tags: Aldiouspower metal
ADVERTISEMENT
Peter Dennis

Peter Dennis

Related Posts

Kyoto Garden (Holland Park, London) | Photo by Henry Kellner via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other Reviews

A walk in the park of Kyoto Garden (Holland Park, London)

by Peter Dennis
4 July 2022
0

In a bustling metropolis such as London any moment of peace and tranquillity is a welcome relief and there’s no...

Read more
Esprit D'Air - Oceans (album cover)

CD Review: Esprit D’Air – Oceans

4 July 2022

Product Review: Heart – Tropical-Rouge Pretty Cure Rainbow Jelly

8 June 2022
Product Review: Pigeon – Microwave Shortcake

Product Review: Pigeon – Microwave Shortcake

4 May 2022
Goodbye Eri/SAYONARA ERI © 2022 by Tatsuki Fujimoto/SHUEISHA Inc.

Should you say hello to “Goodbye, Eri”? — Bite-Sized Review(s)

28 April 2022
Next Post
LP Review: Haru Nemuri – LOVETHEISM

LP Review: Haru Nemuri - LOVETHEISM

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Donate a digital coffee to keep AVO Magazine online
ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Soundcloud Discord


Online magazine since 2012. AVO Magazine is a Japan-related entertainment website with information about events in especially The Netherlands, Belgium and the rest of Europe. There is a big focus on Japanese music. Other contents we publish are reports, reviews, informative articles, and interviews. AVO Magazine originated from AVO Forum, started on 16 May 2003.

Contact (Francisca Hagen): info[@]avo-magazine.nl

Please do not use text and photos made by AVO Magazine without permission. An email is easily created. Let's support each other!

Affiliates

JPU Records

1_General CDJapan

Featured on

HYPER JAPAN TV logo Lucydafirst - Crate Culture logo

AVO Magazine Approved

  • Arlequin Photography
  • Get Your Genki
  • Idol is SHiT
  • Japan Jams
  • Japone Artists
  • The Sushi Times

Join our Discord Server

©2003 - 2022 AVO Magazine - One Click Closer to Japan!
*Donate to keep AVO Magazine online *

No Result
View All Result
  • AVO Magazine
    • AVO Magazine, who?
    • Join the AVO Magazine team
    • AVO Magazine presents
    • AVO Magazine Podcast
    • Join AVO Magazine’s Discord Server
    • Submit News to AVO Magazine
    • Support AVO Magazine
  • Japanese Music
    • Music News
      • Music Announcements
      • Musical Snack
    • Curtain-raiser
    • Weekly MV Roundup
      • Weekly MV Roundup
      • About: 7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out
    • Interviews Musicians
    • Music Reviews
    • Music Reports
  • Japan-related Events
    • Anime Events
    • Convention and expo announcements
    • Music Announcements
    • Other announcements
    • Reports
  • Japan-related Reviews
    • Book Reviews
    • Film Reviews
    • Game Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Other Reviews
    • Product Reviews
    • Series Reviews
  • Colophon
  • Contact
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.