Album Review: Elder – Omens (Stickman Records)

Carl Fisher 2 min read

Psych masters Elder are back with their new album ‘Omens’ (April 24th, Stickman Records), their first LP since the globally-acclaimed Reflections of a Floating World.

Formed in a small coastal town in Massachusetts in the mid noughties, Elder have reinvented their sound over the course of five albums to grow from a stalwart of the stoner/doom scene into one of the most unique voices in the rock underground. Their long-scale compositions unfold as journeys, running the gamut of styles from the 70’s to the present within a single song.

A psychedelic start, the weird effects of the title start things on the back-foot but the introduction of the doom/stoner elements sees Elder step forth. Mixing chilled out melody, off-kilter rhythm with bursts of energy, the journey is well and truly underway now.

It’s unusual but like a warm blanket, you’ll find yourself wrapped up in the gorgeous melodies of In Procession. A thought-provoking track (as is the album as a whole), it forces you to reflect and really allow yourself to be taken away with Elder. It gets so psychedelic in the latter part.

There are no short offerings here. Each track a lengthy and expansive wander through the mind of Elder. The dreamy rhythm of Halcyon only broken up by flashes of weirdness and harder punches of guitars. Whereas Embers is a fair bit faster and easily the most rhythmically simple track on the album. Although ‘simple’ for Elder is still massively a cut above what many others in this genre can manage.

Such an exceptionally interesting album, Omens needs multiple plays and plenty of concentration to really get the most out of it. Give Elder your all and you will be rewarded. The opening melodies of One Light Retreating emotive yet lulling you into a false sense of comfort as Elder then deliver one of the heavier experiences on the album. Spectacular.

Elder – Omens Full Track Listing:

1. Omens
2. In Procession
3. Halcyon
4. Embers
5. One Light Retreating

 

 

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Elder - Omens (Stickman Records)
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