Review Summary: One of the greatest stoner albums of the 21st century, where monumental riffs and progressive ambition merge into a true masterpiece.
Dead Roots Stirring is not simply a standout record within the modern stoner scene. It is, in my view, one of the greatest stoner albums of the 21st century and a true masterpiece. With this release, Elder transcend the traditional boundaries of the genre, expanding it into progressive and psychedelic territories without sacrificing weight, groove, or identity.
From the very first moments of Gemini, it is evident that this is something exceptional. The distorted bass establishes a thick, immersive atmosphere, but what truly sets the track apart is the band’s ability to construct long, organic structures filled with dynamic shifts and carefully developed transitions. Around the three-minute mark, the song opens into intricate instrumental passages rich in rhythmic variation and melodic growth, culminating in an expressive and expansive guitar solo. It is not merely an impressive opener; it is a bold artistic statement.
The title track, Dead Roots Stirring, pushes the ambition even further. Longer and more complex, it begins with a distinctly progressive character, built on fluid transitions and intricately woven scales. Its central section leans into hypnotic, riff-driven stoner territory, yet it is the final stretch, beginning around the ninth minute, that elevates the album into masterpiece status. The closing solo is extraordinary, deeply emotional and expansive, and stands as one of the defining moments not only of the record but of Elder’s entire sound.
III, the instrumental third track, provides a perfectly judged structural shift after two monumental compositions. Rather than repeating the same epic format, the band crafts an atmospheric piece that moves from arid desert rock textures into space rock and psychedelic expanses. The emphasis on evolving guitar melodies and mood enhances the album’s flow, and the closing theme is both memorable and emotionally resonant.
The End opens with a clear homage to Black Sabbath, recalling the riff-driven weight of Vol. 4, one of the foundational pillars of stoner rock. Yet Elder refuse to remain in homage. After what might traditionally serve as a conclusion, they extend the structure into more psychedelic and progressive passages. While slightly shorter and less overwhelming than the first two tracks, it maintains the album’s remarkable standard.
Knot introduces a more dynamic and accelerated opening, with vocal phrasing that echoes Mastodon. After its initial surge, the song settles into Elder’s characteristic expansive construction, building toward a powerful and satisfying closing melody. Even if one senses that the album has revealed most of its structural language by this point, the execution remains so compelling that it never feels repetitive. Instead, it reinforces the coherence of a fully realized artistic vision.
The most immediate influences may evoke bands such as Sleep, Electric Wizard, and of course Black Sabbath. However, the integration of progressive elements reminiscent of Tool, Mastodon, and Porcupine Tree gives Elder a distinctive identity. They occupy a unique space that can best be described as progressive stoner metal, where heaviness coexists with sophistication, and hypnotic riffs intertwine with expansive compositional ambition.
Conclusion: this is not only an extraordinary introduction to Elder’s catalog, but one of the defining stoner records of the 21st century. Dead Roots Stirring is immersive, ambitious, emotionally powerful, and structurally masterful. It proves that stoner music can be grand, progressive, and intellectually engaging without losing its primal force.
