Review ELDER “Through Zero”

Elder are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, and what better way to mark such a special occasion than with a new album? The band launched a stunning debut album in 2008, representing their stoner/doom influences, while slowly adding a psychedelic aspect to their music. Meanwhile, based in Berlin, Germany, Elder has become one of the most influential bands in this genre, and their North American tour with Tool was another milestone for the quartet. It is now up to “Through Zero” to continue this impressive endeavour, and I can confirm that the band’s seventh full-length release fully lives up to expectations.

Elder is known for songs that are anything but simple or fast. They understand how to create exciting music that passes the ten-minute mark with great ease. The new album’s opener is one of these tunes, and placing a ten-minute song at the beginning of an album isn’t new for Elder, yet it remains distinctive. “Sigil to Ruin” unveils a great soundscape with nice melodies, psychedelic intensity and heavier outbursts, which are also present in “Capture/Release”. The latter has a very emotive beginning and a cinematic approach that slowly transforms into a powerful song. With a rather catchy approach, “Capture/Release” blossoms immediately.

Next is the throbbing title track, the centerpiece of the album. Elder blend superbly crafted melodies with riff power and various layers waiting to be explored.

“Through Zero” showcases the band’s progressive passion, featuring breaks that transition to calm and almost fragile passages. These variations are the exciting elements that give the songs their flow.

“Sight Unseen” is a calm and spiritual song that opens the door to a world of imagination. Although it builds up along the way, “Sight Unseen” maintains its futuristic vibe, even when it bursts with energy in the final quarter. After the booming finale of “Sight Unseen” comes the captivating calmness of “Blighted Age”, which ends the album in an atmospheric fashion. Driven by carefully crafted melodies, the song provides a heart-touching end to an album that sees Elder raise the bar for the future.

“Through Zero” is the latest album from a band that blends musical expertise with great melodies and progressive twists. The six songs here are anything but rational. The band’s technical expertise allows them to convey feelings and emotions, which are the driving force behind “Through Zero” – a musical journey to enjoy.