Review Summary: A transitional gem between two defining eras!
Elder released the EP Spires Burn / Release in 2012, positioned between their breakthrough album Dead Roots Stirring and the more expansive and progressive Lore. Recorded during a period in which the band was refining its identity, the EP captures Elder at a fascinating crossroads. The production retains the heavy stoner foundation of their previous work while hinting at the atmospheric ambitions that would later define their sound.
Spires Burn opens the record with a powerful composition that still feels deeply connected to the Dead Roots Stirring era. In fact, it almost sounds as if it could have belonged to that album, which suggests that both songs on this EP were likely written during the same creative phase. The track is driven by the band’s characteristic progressive stoner structure, full of dynamic transitions and expansive instrumental passages. One of the most striking moments arrives around the six minute mark, where the song unfolds into a brilliant guitar solo section that perfectly showcases the band’s melodic instincts.
Release begins in a more atmospheric and restrained fashion. Its slower, steady rhythm and delicate guitar arpeggios create a reflective mood that contrasts nicely with the more immediate drive of the opening track. The vocals even evoke the tone and phrasing of Mastodon at times. A guitar solo appears again around the sixth minute, although it is somewhat less memorable than the one in Spires Burn. The real highlight of the track lies in its instrumental second half, where the band stretches into a rich and immersive passage before finally returning to the opening melody. The closing moments carry a fluid, almost oceanic atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression.
In conclusion, Spires Burn / Release works as a perfect bridge between two key phases of Elder’s career. It still stands firmly on the progressive stoner foundations of Dead Roots Stirring while subtly anticipating the broader sonic explorations that would fully bloom on Lore..
