INNATE PASSAGE

ELDER is a name associated with Stoner Rock but these guys are so much more than that on this 2022 album. This record has blown me away with just how tasteful it all is. I mean they contrast the heavy and atmospheric throughout but never get too heavy or too light. Attention to detail throughout the 54 minutes. This "sounds" amazing. Those clean guitars with echo contrasted with the riffs and heavy sound could not have been done better. I'm still scratching my head at how incredible this record is.

This band made a lot of fans with "Dead Roots Stirring", "Lore" and "Reflections On A Floating World" a great three album run. Many weren't as impressed with the next two but man they put their all into this one and I don't know how they can top this. Other reviewers even mention YES, this is far from one dimensional Stoner Rock my friends. Even the lyrics are of the highest order. Maybe moving from Boston to Germany has just made them take their profession more seriously or they are just are maturing and are more comfortable with themselves.

Five fairly long tracks here with the closer at over 8 1/2 minutes being the shortest. I didn't mention the keyboards but a couple of the guys add it and there's a guest keyboardist on the closer. The synths are pretty cool here I must say and I like the way they trade off early on that closer "The Purpose" before it kicks in heavily. I love the quieter sections on this one. The keys, bass and picked guitar for example after 4 minutes.

"Coalescence" freaked me out the first time I heard the start because it sounds so much like a song off of ANEKDOTEN's "Gravity" album. Love it! It does turn heavier before vocals arrive 4 minutes in on this almost 10 minute piece. So much intensity here. This might be my favourite track. "Endless Return" is a ten minute song with a spacey start but not for long as it turns heavy. Check out the change around 6 minutes to a bass led section as drums join in. So cool. Guitar lights it up later. "Catastasis" is the almost 11 minute opener and gets the record off on the right foot. The synths were a surprise I must admit on that first spin after 2 minutes. Between 5 and 8 minutes we get some incredible instrumental music to say the least.

"Merged In Dreams-Ne Plus Ultra" is the longest tune at just under 15 minutes opening in a Post-Rock manner with that guitar and sound as synths swirl around. So uplifting and trippy. It kicks in before 2 minutes with some ripping guitar as I go and get my hat that just blew off. They get into an uptempo groove with riffs as the vocals arrive. The last 5 minutes or so are interesting as it calms right down then builds until they are cooking!

Gotta go 5 stars here. No weak tracks, it's very consistent and adventerous within their style. This is the one!