My Incantation deep dive...

I don't know what form this piece will take, if you could even call it a piece.  But lately, I've been on a serious Incantation kick.  Dead serious.  I've always enjoyed the band.  I distinctly remember loving 2014's Dirges of Elysium when it came out (more on this banger later).  For whatever reason, I delayed my "deep dive" into their discography until, well, 2025.  Please note that this particular dive is still a work in progress.  My Incantation opinions are still being formed, although obviously, there are albums I dig more than others.  I haven't even heard 2006's Primordial Domination yet.  Some, like 2002's Blasphemy, I've only skimmed on a superficial level.  So let's move on.

Way, way back in 2009, I reviewed 1994's Mortal Throne of Nazarene.  Man, I was just teething.  You can search for it if you want, but hell no, I'm not hyperlinking you to it.  Forget that.  As of this moment, my favorite Incantation long player is 2000's The Infernal Storm.  I love the extra layers of technicality, and of course, the jagged riffs.  My favorite Incantation track is "Carrion Prophecy," which can be found on Dirges of Elysium.  Dude, that might be one of the heaviest songs in the known world.  It's gigantic.  Random observation, but 2012's Vanquish in Vengeance is totally underrated.  It had to be said.

I realize that I haven't typed much about Incantation's vaunted 90's output.  I didn't think I needed to sell it, but if you haven't jammed 1992's Onward to Golgotha, do it right now.

A word on "caverncore," if I may.  First off, that's a ridiculous name for a subgenre.  Secondly, I postulate that most of the bands who embrace a dissonant sound (and there are too many to list here) don't quite grasp what makes Incantation rule.  The influence is there, but Incantation is more than just a flurry of dissonant notes.  There are hooks.  Stop/start dynamics.  RIFFS.  Sometimes, it seems that these bands take a stab at aping the Portal formula, but Portal is never factored into the "caverncore" discussion.  For the life (or death) of me, I don't know why.

For the record, I'm a fan of a few of the disso-death bands that clearly look up to Incantation (and Immolation, for that matter).  Cruciamentum, Father Befouled, and Dead Congregation are all rock solid.  There are more I could name, but you get the point.  Wait, what is my point?  Go listen to Incantation, especially if you're under 30 years of age.  You need all the education you can get, sonny.