CD REVIEW: ELYSIA "LION OF JUDAS"

Elysia
“Lion of Judas”
Ferret Music

For fans of the once active Kill Ratio, the illusive Life Of Agony, the northeast hardcore pillars Biohazard, the mythological Godflesh, the ever creative Dillinger Escape Plan, Ferret Music presents the thick murky sounds of an untamed musical chaos called Elysia.

The subject matter is highly controversial and yet gut-induced. Honest lyrics are hard to beat, as you know the content is subjective as is with anything else. Relationships is the key to unlocking the disc. It is who you know and where they reside.

Amongst the highly favored tracks:

Lack of Culture, An indestructible alloy masterpiece comprised of the finest metal and ferocious hardcore. A shaving of metallic sparks from the drums here, and fierce guitar bends mirrored by the bass guitar there, and surrounded with straight up vocal damage.

Plague Of Insects, At 3 min 26 sec, high octane eruptions of massive drum/guitar/bass/wall of sound including the vocals on top, as if surfacing amidst the dogpile. For fans of straight on bass guitar riffs a la Dan Lilker, in yer face screams that seemed to be inspired by Harley Flanagan of the Cro-Mags, and guitar section resembling the impression-makers Converge.

Pride Of Lions, Ah a taste of old-real-Metallica music structure, reminiscent of their work in cover “Breadfan”, the first half of this song sucks into that interlude and then just starts shoving all over the place. A kind of muddy mix on the song but flows well within the architecture of the disc.

Curse Of God (Pt.1), For some reason this brings to mind a story of worms. When one makes themselves out to be god, they are put in their rightful place. Just like when Herod accepted the praise of the people as being a god and because he did not give glory to GOD, he was struck down and eaten with worms. Now that’s a curse. Similarly the instrument arrangements of this song paint a picture of force, power and agony.

Lion Of Judas, For fans of stiff driven bass guitar, and dissonant yet sensible guitar, this track is for you. Vocally, this is the culmination of the entire disc, a mounting and throwing off of emotion and despair. So here, take it. The only thing I would have hoped for was some positive message.

Thanks Ferret!