Elder - Lore

Albums I like a lot: Part II

(Originally submitted to the Metal Archives on August 21st 2021) 

Stoner doom’s always been a hit or miss genre for me. On one hand, it has a vibe and energy that can scarcely be matched by other styles, on the other you can only hear so many bands rip off Sabbath riffs before you get bored. As a whole it’s a very single minded style that rarely goes beyond being heavy and “weed lmao”. And I say rarely because Elder exists. While their earliest work falls in that category (more specifically their self-titled), they’ve always had a unique flavour to them. Ever since Dead Roots Stirring they’ve added these subtle psychedelic and at times progressive touches that helped them stand out from the rest of the bands in the genre. Their third outing, Lore stands out for being the perfect marriage of psych and stoner doom, and has cemented itself as my favourite album in the genre, and by extension the band’s catalogue.

From the very first few seconds of “Compendium” one can immediately see that Elder is not your typical stoner doom band. The way they play with dynamics throughout the album is unmatched, creating these long winding songs that manage to remain unpredictable throughout their massive runtimes. There is nary a second that goes to waste, with every riff being used to its fullest extent before the band moves to a different section that pushes the track forward. The leads are a highlight here, since there’s plenty spread out throughout the album, and despite their varying lengths they all manage to stick out in their own way. “Legend” for example has a slew of excellent leads sprinkled in, and there’s not a single one that I’d say was an afterthought, with every note falling perfectly into place. The psych influences that permeate the album cannot go unmentioned either, seeing as they’re one of the band’s defining characteristics. They add a lot of flavour to the tracks and help balance out the more traditional riffing that serves as a base for the rest of the band to build upon. The title track, which serves as the album’s centerpiece is full of them, and uses them to break up the monotony that could stem from a bunch of riffs being strung together. The entire album in general sounds like a journey through sweeping vistas such as the one pictured on the album cover.

The production on here is excellent, and is arguably one of this album’s most important elements. It’s so beautifully bright and full, and possesses this vibrant energy that is nowhere to be found in the genre. Everything is crystal clear without lacking in power. The guitar sound in particular is immaculate, and it maintains its fullness regardless of whether it plays a doom riff or a woozy psych section. The drums are appropriately punchy and help spice the riffs up with some interesting patterns spread throughout. The mixing is on a similar level, with everything being perfectly audible, with the exception of the vocals, which are a bit further back and help enhance the adventurous feel of the album. As a whole, this production is the glue that holds all these different pieces together and brings them together in a cohesive manner.

The album’s lyrics detail a journey of self-discovery, with vocalist Nick DiSalvo singing about a nameless traveler’s journey to finding themselves, and by extension, inner peace. They’re very well written and the way they’re performed fits well, despite Nick’s voice being arguably the band’s least remarkable characteristic. He utilises his range effectively, with his performance having a more ethereal presence over the music instead of being in-your-face constantly. He’s like a spiritual guide during this great trek through one’s self and helping them reach their destination through the metaphorical peaks and valleys that exist within us.

Lore is a journey unlike any other. It breaks the mold of the genre it comes from and creates something completely new that sets Elder apart not only from their contemporaries, but stoner doom in general. Not only did the band think outside of the box for this one, they tore the box up and threw it in the trash and decided to make a new one altogether. Even years after having listened to it, I still haven’t found anything that quite scratches the same itch, and to be honest I don’t believe I’ll ever find anything quite like it.

Highlights: Compendium, Lore, Spirit At Aphelion

Rating: 100%