Incantation was the quintessential underground black metal band when formed in New Jersey in 1989. The original line-up comprised of mainstay John McEntee, a hardcore underground metal fan and former Revenant member, and former Revenant man and future Profanatica and Havohej members Paul Ledney, guitarist Brett Makowski and bassist Aragon Amori. The band would be sundered by conflict leaving McEntee, bassist Ronny Deo and drummer Peter Barnevic. Will Rahmer of Mortician would guest on Incantation's 7" EP Entrantment Of Evil after McEntee would join Mortician for a while. Jim Roe would be recruited on drums who would be followed by former Putrefact and Ceremonium guitarist and singer Craig Pillard. The new man would later take Will Rahmer's spot. The metal scene's true first introduction to the band would thus be recorded and be named Deliverance Of Horrific Prophecies. Armed with a contract with the upstart Relapse Records the band would record the brutally sludgy Onward To Golgotha. Released in 1992, the album would propel Incantation to the forefront of the American underground scene. Shows with Entombed, Dead Horse and Vital remains would ensue. In what would become a standard for Incantation the line-up underwent a complete overhaul.

With the band's popularity on the upswing Incantation/McEntee would oversee a string of albums performed by a revolving cast of musicians. Simultaneously, the band's relationship with Relapse Records would be tested over allegations of non-payment of royalties, lack of tour or promotional support and a general lack of appreciation on behalf of the label for the band. Incantation would unfurl an anti-Relapse Records banner at shows in America. 1994's Mortal Throne Of Nazarene would come under scrutiny and criticism when the band and label find the sound and production lacking. Upon The Throne Of Apocalypse featured the alternate mix and production of the same album with the track listing reversed. Nonetheless, shows with Malevolent Creation and Anal Cunt would follow. The band would venture back into Canada into play with Kataklysm at the Canadian bands two album release shows. The line-up would be detained at the Canadian border due to criminal records within the bands ranks. Incantation would finally be admitted into the country after Canada Customs exercised its discretionary powers. The pattern would be repeated in later years again and again with the decision not always going the band's way. Incantation would invite Kataklysm to embark on a Mexican tour a year later, but with the relationship soon breaking down the Canadian mob would be accused of sabotaging and damaging the Americans' van and equipment. More comings and goings continued and the band now based in Cleveland would venture into Mexico with Enslaved, Grave and others in a series of tours arranged by McEntee himself. For a while the band featured female bassist Mary Ciullo and Mortician's Mike Saez. McEntee would also soon find the time to start work on a label called Ibex Moon Records.

Despite previous tensions Pillard would rejoin the band and record with Incantation. The band would tour Europe with Avulsed and would sign to Avulsed man's Repulse Records. The relationship with Repulse would soon go the way of the relationship with Relapse. The band would again find it difficult to enter Canada this time due to another member's criminal record. Amidst constant touring Incantation would be involved in a severe accident on the road in Texas in 1998. The group would recover and hit more countries in its quest to destroy Christianity. The band would soon relocate to Pennsylvania and McEntee would try his hand at a side project. Shows with Cannibal Corpse, Krisiun and others would continue unabated. A tour would be interrupted when the band was caught in a melee involving the returning Mike Saez. Incantation would survive and sign to Necropolis Records of California. An album called Blasphemy In Brazil Tour was released in South America. It was issued two years later in Europe by Hammerheart Records. 2002's Blasphemy would be produced by ex-Death soundman Bill Korecky. The album would be licensed to Candlelight for Europe. In the meanwhile, McEntee has ran out of eligible singers and also taken over the vocalist spot! The new formation would sign a deal with Listenable records of france following the bankruptcy of Necropolis. Bill Korecky would engineer Decimate Christendom which given the mood and psyche in America sounded extremely optimistic. Nonetheless shows with Ragnarok and Behemoth would soon come. Early member Jim Roe was filling in for drummer Kyle Severn on the band’s European tour with Malevolent Creation and Rotting Christ in 2007. The band also issued a statement terming South American promoter Cathedral Rock Productions con artists and rip-offs. The band also noted its intention to continue its touring plans independently despite the promoter’s practices. The band was promoting its Primordial Domination album on the road. In late 2007 the band announced that original singer Craig Pillard and drummer Jim Roe were part of the band’s touring line-up for 2008. The band was scheduled to play at the Central Illinois Metalfest. Also in the band were John McEntee and Goreaphobia’s Alex Bouks on guitars and Rayash of Supreme Lord on bass.

INCANTATION - THE FORSAKEN MOURNING OF ANGELIC ANGUISH - REPULSE
Incantation is back and freed from its unproductive contract with Relapse Records. This MCD is the first of three planned releases on Repulse, Elegy and Visceral Productions. Lasting around 21 minutes, the EP features the band delivering exactly what it has always been known for, namely brutal and underground metal molten in doom and grind. Especially surprising, but definitely welcome, is the return of vocalist Craig Pillard who had left the band on bad terms and was actually thinking of suing guitarist McEntee. His vocals are extremely low and, therefore, fitting. With a relatively better sound and a deliberate pure death stand this EP is recommended if you are willing to accept the fact that beside two filler interludes, one of the remaining five pieces is a cover of Death's Scream Bloody Gore (or so I read!). Yet, and getting past that, Incantation is alive and well. - Ali "The Metallian"