Review by Alex Grindor on October 30, 2024.

Despite the fact that these fellas are from my country, Invocation just recently came to my knowledge due to this release, their debut album. Hailing from Valparaiso, arguably considered to have the best local scene in Chile, Invocation have been around for a bit over a decade by this point and has a handful of releases prior to The Archaic Sanctuary. It is rare for a band to release a debut that manages to surmise everything they have been working for up to that point, but Invocation's debut is an outstanding record that, despite some minutia, checks every box on the list.

The album offers a bit over 33 minutes of music, with no second wasted as soon as you press play. Invocation's style of black/death coated in mud and rot is sure to grab your attention if you are a fan of the style.

Simple, yet crushing riffs and rhythms, bestial drums, and howling vocals seemingly recorded in some god-forsaken chapel conform to the elements of Invocation's music and none of them feels dull or bland at all. While the album is in a constant state of frenzy, there are some subdued moments that call forth some old-school death/doom. Production-wise, it is crisp and clear, while retaining some of that rawness necessary for the style. I do believe however that the lack of reverb makes this album sound a bit less dense and muddy than the band's previous releases. It takes the band from the foulest caverns in the depths of the world and places it in a ruined chapel that's falling apart. It doesn't detract from the overall experience and it shows that the music is still as fiendish as before, but it does feel a bit less atmospheric than previous efforts.

Despite this minutia, The Archaic Sanctuary is an outstanding debut that establishes Invocation as a force to be reckoned with. Ceremonial black/death as unrelenting as it is catchy. While the final track may feel a bit underwhelming compared to the rest of the album, the entire record is a solid effort that brings comparisons to Grave Miasma and Abhorior. Absolutely recommended.

Rating: 9 out of 10