D&S Reviews

‘Lore’ by Elder

By Melissa (D&S Midwest)

Track Listing

1. Compendium 10:39
   
2. Legend 12:31
   
3. Lore 15:57
   
4. Deadweight 9:27
   
5. Spirit At Aphelion 10:32
   

Album art by Adrian Dexter

Photo by Harry Gould Harvey

Every now and then, we are lucky enough to discover a band that is truly special. A band that made something seemingly out of nothing–and not JUST something, but something that moves us to a place we’ve never been before. Something that makes us feel a certain way that we’ve never felt before. Something that awakes a part of our soul that we never even knew existed.

If you need any proof such a band is headed that direction, allow me to point your attention to Boston trio ELDER. As doom continues to grow into a more popular and accessible genre, Elder continues to be a band that people talk about. Hell, just the other night I saw Karl Simon (vocalist & guitarist for The Gates Of Slumber and more recently Wretch) sporting an Elder shirt.

Here’s recap of what Elder has done up to this point. Elder released their first full length, a self-titled gem of a record, back in 2008 (after their 2007 demo). The 5-track debut was very promising, filled to the brink with stoner riffs that would leave Al Cisneros well-pleased. It was not a perfect record, but it was very memorable. Three years passed when Elder came out with their sophomore effort, Dead Roots Stirring in 2011. I think sophomore albums can be challenging, but they rose to the occasion by keeping so much of that stoner vibe intact, making it a lot more psychedelic, and honing in on the mythical, story-telling quality of the songs. Many of us encountered Elder for the first time through Roots. Through this release, and the subsequent 2-song EP, Spires Burn/Release (2012), Elder demonstrated they had come into their own as a band–mature, yet willing to try new things. Fast forward to the present and there is another album to Elder’s credit, the brand new Lore (2015).

When I sat down and listened to Lore for the first time, I knew one thing for certain right away: this record is a milestone for Elder. Lore is colorful, vibrant, and rich. It’s heavy and full of unexpected rhythm that will pull you deep into the cosmic sea of their universe. Additionally, these five tracks are loaded with progressive rock elements. After giving Lore several listens, it’s clear this record is intended to be a defining point in the band’s career.

The first track is “Compendium.” I love the intro, an intricate guitar part that gets our attention right away and pulls us for a wild ride. Elder doesn’t beat around the bush with this track, getting right into the proggy sludge (there’s a good deal of Mastodon influence here). The wobbly little riff opening the song remains the central melody, which is developed into a wondrous ten-and-a-half minute journey.

“Legend” delivers more of that monumental sound, which is so huge and awe inspiring that I really find it humbling. This magnificent piece makes me feel so small, reminding me that the world is much bigger than I…and that music is my savior. I think the track would work great as an instrumental. However, that’s just a matter of preference. Nick DiSalvo leaves a major impact not only vocally, but through distinctive riffs and picturesque guitar runs. Matt Couto compliments DiSalvo well throughout the record, especially during the guitar solo on this particular track, making it easy to stop and admire the percussive rebound of the snare.

The title track is a sixteen-minute, victorious exploration of the unknown. The heavy, crunching riffs matched with the smashing cymbals creates such a zealous spark. This is only one part of the journey. As you’ll soon discover, ambience will take over. While perhaps not atmospheric, in the traditional sense of the genre, the song creates atmosphere on its own terms, with DiSalvo lending a hand on the keyboard. These intriguing effects add to the majesty of Lore.

The spiral riffage of “Deadweight” carries us into a more psychedelic side of Elder than we have seen on this record so far. I wouldn’t say this one sounds like belongs on their previous record, which is definitely their most psychedelic of the three, because Deadweight very much belongs on Lore (all these songs blend well). That said, Deadweight seems to hold a lot of influence from German psychedelic rock bands like Samsara Blues Experiment and this is most obvious in the way these riffs continue to assemble, one upon the other, before they ultimately soar away.

This is the perfect segue into the closer, “Spirit At Aphelion.” I find this track is most suitable for some personal reflection, as it is introduced with keys matched by a plucking guitar. This one ends up having the most energy of the five due to the drumming, which dances like hell under circling guitar riffs. Bassist Jack Donovan is brilliant on this track. He runs wild, coming back to the root at just the right moment, just as any great bassist should. Then three guys take off together, as the track slowly fades away.

Lore is poised to bring Elder into an even greater profile than they’ve achieved previously with Dead Roots Stirring. I fear that some listeners may think that they band is “trying to be Mastodon” on this record. However, that’s an unfair assessment and anyone who gives Lore an honest listen should be able to see Elder’s unique fingerprints all over it. Lore is the result of the creative growth and evolution of a band that takes their craft very serious. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Elder have once more proven themselves to be one of the very best heavy psychedelic acts in America, with no intention of slowing down. Lore is an absolute gem, an album we’ll still be talking about a decade from now.

Elder’s Lore releases February 27th and can be purchased digitally here and on vinyl through the Armageddon Label (US) and Stickman Records (EU)

Elder Drop New Song, LP Coming!

Yes, you read the headline correctly. A brand new track from the great New Bedford, Massachusetts band ELDER was released Tuesday, the lead song from their third album Lore (2015)…and wait until you hear it! “Compendium” is a 10-minute beauty, a worthy successor to any of the songs off of their last full-length, Dead Roots Stirring (2011), and album that has made the band legendary in underground circles.

A colleague of mine asked, “What’s so special about Elder?” and for a moment, it gave me pause. “You mean it’s not self-evident?” I was thinking. Better answer: because Elder is creative and unconventional. In word: innovative. If we can compare metal to classical for a moment, Elder’s new song “Compendium” unfolds like a well-developed tone poem. This is cream-of-the-crop music making and I can see it winning over many new fans to the Elder camp. I got my promo copy of Lore today and have been slowly making my way through. Melissa or I will share our thoughts on the five-track album in the days ahead!

The official release is slated for February 28th. You can get order the digital version (and catch up with Elder’s previous releases) here. Vinyl can be obtained through the Armageddon Shop in North America, Stickman Records in Europe. Catch Elder on tour in March with Mos Generator! Here they are in Dresden with “Dead Roots Stirring.”