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Rating: LA RECENSIONE
Close your eyes and travel far
Starting from a massive and rocky stoner rock, over time the Berlin-based Elder have infused more and more progressive elements into their music, following a path not dissimilar to other artists, like the Norwegian Enslaved. Omens, the band's fifth full-length, is the acme, the peak of this evolution, and it's the masterpiece of a very solid discography.
Don't be fooled by the vaguely vapor-flavored statue on the cover: Omens is a feast with very strong prog hues where the stoner hardness of previous albums still peeks through. Five tracks averaging ten minutes each: a clear statement of intent. The opener, which also gives the album its title, sets the coordinates where we move: explosions of granitic guitars interspersed with longer, lighter phrases, musical monologues that (almost) never bore. Some didn't like Nick DiSalvo's vocals: for me, instead, they fit very well with this style. After In Procession, marked by a fabulous central passage with a delightful metallic aroma, we reach Halcyon: 4 minutes of guitar dialogue before firing up the engines and heading to the moons of some exoplanet; a sense of communion with the cosmos. One Light Retreating skillfully strikes the heart and closes the album worthily; it's preceded by Embers, where the prog/stoner balance perhaps gives its most brilliant results, seasoned with some juicy riffs: for me the best of the bunch, but they are all splendid, for what is my album of the year 2020.
Two years later, Elder would release Innate Passage: still a nice listen, but less memorable and inspired. I hope for another masterpiece, but surpassing themselves will not be easy...
Till next time.
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Summary by Bot
Elder's fifth album Omens marks a peak in their evolution by blending stoner rock with rich progressive elements. The five lengthy tracks showcase powerful guitar work and cosmic themes. Nick DiSalvo's vocals are praised for fitting the style perfectly. The album is celebrated as a masterpiece and the reviewer's top album of 2020. Although their next release was less memorable, Omens remains a high point.
