Elder - Reflections of a Floating World

Artist: Elder
Album: Reflections of a Floating World
Year: 2017
Rating: 95/100

I'm not ashamed to admit that the first time I ever laid ears on Elder I went in all guns blazing on how good I thought they were; Lore was a fantastic album, after all. The trio evidently don't believe in resting on their laurels, either. How exactly do you improve on an album that good? By releasing a better one, of course, and that's exactly what Elder have done on follow up Reflections of a Floating World.

Opener "Sanctuary" sets the tone from the start, its wall of sound guitars, scattershot drums and Nicholas DiSalvo's clean yet raw vocals. As on Lore, Elder demonstrate a perfect ear for when an idea or a riff needs changing up, and it's always timed to perfection. Each song feels more like it has been crafted rather than written, almost as if the band are treating the songs as if they are a personal labour of love. No riff, vocal melody or time change feels out of place on Reflections of a Floating World.

From a creative point of view, Elder are on a roll that shows no signs of slowing down; at least, not yet, anyway. Reflections of a Floating World is the complete package, an album that delivers on every promise, and the riffs and melodies go on for days. Do not miss this one at all.

Track listing

1. Sanctuary
2. The Falling Veil
3. Staving off Truth
4. Blind
5. Sonntag
6. Thousand Hands