Elysium
Garry from SAN PR is always good for sending us through a record or two to check out, so when he sent me over a copy of the debut EP, In Valour, from ‘UK Riff Tyrants’ Elysium, I was looking forward to checking out what was on offer! Formed out of the ashes of Times Like These, Elysium bring about thoughts of Lower Than Atlantis, A Day To Remember, Architects and Four Year Strong – so what of the EP itself?
As title track In Valour kicks us into being we’re thrown into a world of hammering riffs, soaring lead lines, rumbling bass rhythms and pounding drum lines, the whole mix immediately forming an upbeat but heavy sound. As the vocals come into being the feel of the track shifts sideways from the all out heavy to a more melodic world, a place where the vocals grab you by the throat and lead you through the track step by step. Managing to combine melody and power throughout, the opening moments of the EP certainly set things up nicely, getting you involved and wanting to hear more – a solid start to things! I’m A Thief But I Keep What I Steal continues this idea further, once again launching us into the hammering riffs with an almost Atreyu style vibe, before once again bolstering the whole mix with the bass and drums. Heavy, rolling, distorted and powerful, this is the sort of track which you know is going to go down well on the live scene, the sort of track which will convert people to the ranks of Elysium and make them want to hear more. Even going so far as to throw a catchy chorus into the mix, this is a serious high point on the EP, and a moment to check out for sure.
Upping the pace for Scars, the band seem to almost take on a NWOBHM style vibe to kick things off, layering the guitar lines to add in a real sense of distorted melody from the word go. Powerful, fast paced and in your face, yet somehow refined and well put together, this track seems to contradict itself at times, yet still comes out as an honest and hard hitting representation of the bands outlook on music. Catchy once again, this track holds single potential, and is the sort of thing you can well expect to hear being played to close a set – definitely another high point. It’s only then left to Boy to close things, shifting the style of the band once again to a more laid back and chilled out approach to close things, offering up that one final surprise we’re all looking for! Refusing to stick to the chilled out vibes of the opening of the track for too long, we’re soon once again thrown into a melee of hammering guitar lines and powerful vocals, showing that there’s some serious potential here just waiting to be noticed. A solid close to the EP, it’s just a shame that there’s only four tracks on offer, but it leaves the door wide open for whatever is going to follow this!
Elysium are one of those bands who are heavy without being over the top, melodic without being poppy, and hard hitting without trying too hard, showing that they’re a band we need to be keeping an eye on for sure. This EP takes you on a journey through their musical approaches, and leaves you wanting to know what’s going to come next – well personally, I can’t wait to see what’s next.
To find out more about Elysium, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
As title track In Valour kicks us into being we’re thrown into a world of hammering riffs, soaring lead lines, rumbling bass rhythms and pounding drum lines, the whole mix immediately forming an upbeat but heavy sound. As the vocals come into being the feel of the track shifts sideways from the all out heavy to a more melodic world, a place where the vocals grab you by the throat and lead you through the track step by step. Managing to combine melody and power throughout, the opening moments of the EP certainly set things up nicely, getting you involved and wanting to hear more – a solid start to things! I’m A Thief But I Keep What I Steal continues this idea further, once again launching us into the hammering riffs with an almost Atreyu style vibe, before once again bolstering the whole mix with the bass and drums. Heavy, rolling, distorted and powerful, this is the sort of track which you know is going to go down well on the live scene, the sort of track which will convert people to the ranks of Elysium and make them want to hear more. Even going so far as to throw a catchy chorus into the mix, this is a serious high point on the EP, and a moment to check out for sure.
Upping the pace for Scars, the band seem to almost take on a NWOBHM style vibe to kick things off, layering the guitar lines to add in a real sense of distorted melody from the word go. Powerful, fast paced and in your face, yet somehow refined and well put together, this track seems to contradict itself at times, yet still comes out as an honest and hard hitting representation of the bands outlook on music. Catchy once again, this track holds single potential, and is the sort of thing you can well expect to hear being played to close a set – definitely another high point. It’s only then left to Boy to close things, shifting the style of the band once again to a more laid back and chilled out approach to close things, offering up that one final surprise we’re all looking for! Refusing to stick to the chilled out vibes of the opening of the track for too long, we’re soon once again thrown into a melee of hammering guitar lines and powerful vocals, showing that there’s some serious potential here just waiting to be noticed. A solid close to the EP, it’s just a shame that there’s only four tracks on offer, but it leaves the door wide open for whatever is going to follow this!
Elysium are one of those bands who are heavy without being over the top, melodic without being poppy, and hard hitting without trying too hard, showing that they’re a band we need to be keeping an eye on for sure. This EP takes you on a journey through their musical approaches, and leaves you wanting to know what’s going to come next – well personally, I can’t wait to see what’s next.
To find out more about Elysium, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls