Elder - Lore (2015)

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Elder - Lore (2015)

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Before "Lore" I saw Elder as a great run-of-the-mill stoner metal band. That's not negative or anything, it's just that they mastered the simple, straightforward heaviness that is stoner metal in a variety of songs. I guess that's why so many fans unapologetically love them. This growing cult grew the hype of "Lore" more, giving them much more attention than before. No pressure, right? I think it's fair to say that many of us were hoping for a wonderful and sludgy sequel to "Dead Roots Stirring". That's not exactly what they did. Don't get me wrong; "Lore" is a fantastic example of the essence of stoner metal, but there's so much more there now. Without sacrificing any part of their identity, Elder added prog elements and showed off what they're capable of doing. The result is arguably one of the best albums of 2015. The guitars remain heavy and tastefully overdriven, but there's a new chime to them that wasn't in "Dead Roots Stirring". Riffs are more complex and licks are more technically demanding. The bass growls and moans beautifully in the foundation of the band. The drums are hard hitting and still sound natural. The whole package envelops you in a sludgy, yet still clean, world in which Elder takes your hand and guides you through. They're a band whose sum is greater than its parts. That's not to undermine each one's individual talents, more so that they feed off one another better than most. When you start the album with "Compendium", you're welcomed by a kind of folky jingle with the higher strings that you wouldn't have expected. It's as if Nick DiSalvo was listening carefully to Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher's guitarwork with Mastodon. While it strays away from the blunt, low fuzz in "Dead Roots Stirring", it's not unpleasant. You're pleasantly surprised and await more. As the song progresses you find that familiar Elder sound of loud, slow, headbang-inducing drums and a layer of thick, fuzzy bass that covers the track in a beautiful low rumble. Nick's voice isn't anything special, in fact I don't think he's close to being any of the great stoner metal vocalists. But who cares? It works with Elder! At the album's climax is the nearly 16-minute long "Lore", which shares its title with the album itself. This song has a lot to digest in it, and it's worth repeating to make sure you get everything and forget nothing. The first half plays as perfectly as the other songs, but there's a distinct movement change at around eight minutes in that opens your eyes. It's a gradual lead into the best instrumental section of the album. It gave me chills listening to it the first time. It was when Elder cemented themselves as one of the great stoner metal bands in my mind. You'll know it when you hear it. At the end is "Spirit of Aphelion", which starts with a gradual buildup of acoustic guitars and light drumming, finishing with a crescendo to the main riff of the song. Another perfect ten minute journey, and the best way to complete an album as amazing as this. The thing you'll definitely notice over time is how each song progresses. "Dead Roots Stirring" is full of fun, repetitious riffs that you hope never end. It's great. But with "Lore", the long instrumental sections feel far less improvised. You can tell they're going somewhere. They definitely put a lot of work into each song because everything flows and moves together gradually and perfectly. Nothing is to sudden, but nothing is unnoticeable. Edler exceeded everyone's expectations with "Lore". They're one of few bands who are able to do that. If this doesn't put a huge spotlight on them in the metal world, I don't know what will.

~ by www.metal-archives.com/