OMENS

Barely recognizable to their former sludge metal selves, Omens sees Elder continue on their genre defying/redefining journey. Predictably, I have already encountered metal reviewers who seem bothered by the band's swapping of torrid riffage for ethereal mellotron enhanced jamming. While they are entitled to their musical conservatism, the progressive music world benefits immensely from Elder's refusal to pin themselves down to their original genre label.

This is not say Elder does not have a recognizable sound or that their stoner roots have been completely uprooted. Rather the more melodic licks, arpeggios and psychedelic passages that punctuated previous releases have become, on Omens, the core of the song writing. Imagine the adventurousness of mid 70's Yes (e.g. Close to the Edge, Relayer) with a strong stoner rock guitar providing the grounding. Perhaps this was a predictable development for the group, at least if you have been following them. But it has certainly been a welcome one.

I admit to wanting to give this album 5/5 mid way through my first listen. I am sucker for the kinds of chords and ambient tone colors served up on this record. Repeat listens have brought me back to Earth a bit. Still brilliant!