Formed in 2003, NECROVATION soon began their ascent of the Swedish death metal underground. A demo, a split, and an EP followed in quick succession, the latter two via BLOOD HARVEST, before some silence would pass. Alas, in 2008 did NECROVATION release their debut album, Breed Deadness Blood, via BLOOD HARVEST; it was soon hailed as modern classic for its unique synthesis of other eldritch death metal styles and textures and not merely just Swedeath. Another EP via BLOOD HARVEST followed two years later, signaling further growth by the power trio. That growth would perhaps reach its apotheosis with the release of their eponymous second album in 2012. Still very much "death metal" by design, NECROVATION here boldly integrated more traditional metal tropes - all without devolving into "death 'n' roll" pantomime - as well as other now-characteristic twists of weirdness. Then...a deafening silence. Infrequent shows would happen over the ensuing decade, but plans for a new recording never materialized. Now, over a decade since Necrovation, NECROVATION return in enigmatic fashion with a two-song EP bearing the title Storm the Void / Starving Grave. The record's two component tracks are almost too perfectly titled: "Storm the Void" sounds very much like that, with tension-inducing stop/start angularity and a devouring thrust that would almost sound punk if it wasn't so molten and creepy; "Starving Grave" is indeed thirsty and miserable, with a woozy march that defies easy imbibement and then with-no-warning bursts of clawing speed and vapor trails of more simmering tension and repose. Together, these two tracks display NECROVATION honoring their past while pointing the way toward a very, VERY special future...if they, in fact, continue to stir their sulfurous cauldron. Only they know, but we are truly fortunate to receive Storm the Void / Starving Grave to begin the year. Either way, NECROVATION are eternal.
