Clearly, at the moment, symphonic metal releases are multiplying because, after 'Rapture' by Anette Olzon and 'Arcane Horizons' from AfterTime, it's the turn of the Germans from Elvellon' to remember us fondly because their latest album 'Until Dawn' is already from 2018. Six years old afterwards, with almost the same line up ('Jan Runkel' replacing 'Phil Kohout' on bass), they offer us their new baby 'Ascending in Synergy' with 10 compositions, the whole close to the hour of listen. From the outset, we find this "classic" symphonic metal which was popularized at the end of the 90s by groups like 'Within Temptation' or 'Nightwish' and their style can be compared to that of the Americans from AfterTime' mentioned more high, that is to say a metal with rich orchestral arrangements on melodies that you immediately tame. The other remark that I will make is that 'Nele Messerschmidt' has further evolved in her singing which is even more expressive (we will talk about it again) and which now places her in the league of major symphonic metal singers.
From the first tracks 'Unbound' and 'Vagabond's Heart' (see the video above), we are immersed in energetic and catchy symphonic metal with unifying choruses which should work well in concert, the rhythm section impressing a tempo conducive to headbanging. 'Nele Messerschmidt' is at the top of his form and offers us remarkable vocal performances and on the second track, I have the impression in certain places of hearing 'Tarja', both in his vocal register and in the vitality released which characterizes the Finn well. We continue in the same resolutely catchy and joyful atmosphere with 'My Forever Endeavour' which unfolds a new unifying melody with remarkable orchestral accompaniments twirling around the song of 'Nele Messerschmidt' (see the video here), then, 'Ocean Of Treason' adds a layer with a new well-paced melodic gem and it is again this parallel that I draw with 'Tarja' but this time in relation to the theatrical side present in the singing and which lends itself well to the epic atmosphere of this composition. The symphonic atmosphere is still very present on 'The Aftermath Of Life' with still this positive momentum present throughout this title, the rhythm section setting a very catchy tempo and the orchestral break in the second part bringing a nice variety to this title (see the video here), then, after this remarkable first half of the album without downtime, 'Last Of Our Kind' allows us a well-deserved break with a magnificent ballad in which 'Nele Messerschmidt' offers us a vocal performance showing that she also has this talent for move us to tears. The crescendo introduction of 'Into The Vortex' allows us to return little by little to energetic and powerful metal, and, at the risk of repeating myself, the very expressive phrasing of the German's singing recalls that of a singer that I I've already mentioned it several times! The following two titles 'Into the Vortex' and 'A Legacy Divine' continue our beautiful journey of symphonic metal with two other powerful hits which offer two new heady choruses, then, 'The Aeon Tree' is a long development of extraordinary musicality on which we let ourselves be carried away by the captivating and moving singing of 'Nele Messerschmidt' and by the gentle narration of a male voice, the last three minutes bringing a slight crescendo with, first of all, a very beautiful orchestral instrumental part which leads to a part accelerating the tempo to finally fall into a very refined finale with a few piano notes accompanied by strings: simply divine! And to end with a direct and effective title, 'Epiphany of Mine' closes this very beautiful album in a catchy atmosphere which gives an irresistible desire to clap your hands to the rhythm of the music.
In summary, the Germans Elvellon' return to the forefront of symphonic metal with this latest album and, it's a safe bet that in future years they will no longer limit themselves to premieres parties by supporting other bands because they are likely to increase their fan base with 'Ascending in Synergy', at least, that's all the bad I wish them because they deserve it... | |
