Review Summary: More ambitious than ever.
Elder have enjoyed a spectacular evolution as a band, becoming more ambitious with each project. They have come a long way since the stoner/doom metal approach of their eponymous 2008 debut LP. It always felt the group was capable of pushing boundaries and that’s what they have pursued for 20 years now. The prog rock elements were there from the beginning, gradually taking the forefront while the quartet worked on refining their sound. As they grace us with this 7th full length,
Through Zero, we can enjoy the latest stage of their musical growth. It is definitely the most mature collection of songs penned by them so far, meticulously crafted from beginning to end. Each tune goes through several phases with intricate structures. As always, the emphasis is on dynamics, the two preceding singles can easily confirm that. On “Capture/Release”, they make good use of intertwining guitar leads, whereas the tight drum and bass interplay keeps them anchored. The vocals sound better than ever too, you can really feel and appreciate them, especially when the riffs kick in. Same goes for the title track, whose punchy rhythms switch often from muscular progressions to solos. Nevertheless, atmospheric bits are inserted along the way, much like resurfacing for air every now and then amid deep dives. Moreover, the reverb and delay of the guitars on “Sight Unseen” create a gentle, lush build-up, before transitioning to a lovely ‘80s King Crimson-type labyrinthine segment. The tempo increases and before realizing, you’re hit with a heavy climax, whose only flaw is that it doesn’t last longer.
Each track on
Through Zero has a lot to offer and is simply a joy to listen to. “Sigil to Ruin”, for example, features prominent keyboard pads and leads, which together with the cyclical patterns the others play, create mesmerizing, krautrock inspired moments. Still, distorted leads are released, alongside occasional vocals and you can feel that sense of fulfillment setting it. On the other hand, the closing number, “Blighted Age” is the only one here favoring a mellow vibe. It starts with acoustic picking, soon joined by deep bass lines and melodic yet nostalgic vocals. This is the needed comedown to this euphoric journey and it calmly drifts along until slowly fades away. A beautiful way to end this excellent record. Elder are at the top of their game, the production is fitting, not too polished, just enough to hear each instrument clearly in the mix. Expectations were high for them and undoubtedly, the band surpassed them.
