Lords of Metal

My first encounter with Elenium took place in 2003 through their debut album 'For Giving - For Getting' and I was immediately impressed. The way that the band combined melodic yet furious death metal with progressive influences really amazed me. These young Finns decided to found a band in 1995, inspired by fellow countrymen as Amorphis and Sentenced. Later they added some influences of the Gothenburg scene and after that when their technical abilities increased; bands such as Carcass and Death could be mentioned as huge inspirers.

No need for examples or influences anymore these days, for they absolutely show enough insight and maturity on this second full-length album 'Caught In A Wheel' and they do not yield to their original sources of inspiration anymore. For this is an outstanding record! I discovered by coincidence that this album was already recorded in 2005 and it is a shame that it only gets a worldwide distribution now. For this is absolutely top class! Singer Jukka Pelkonen alias J. meanwhile showed up a new front man of Omnium Gatherum; it proves that his capacities are appreciated on a larger scale. But let it not be the decline of Elenium!

After a brief keyboard intro, some sanguine impressive riffs roll out of your speakers. Just for a moment. Suddenly they stop and we have an acoustic intermezzo and piano. Those riffs return, this time backed by a delicious grunt and later on a marvellous guitar solo that should not yield to the biggest progressive acts on this planet. Like Dream Theater. Similar heavy yet progressive riffs determinate the sound of 'Challenger Of Gravity' as well. Mark the leading function of the organ right here, which passes into a magnificent guitar solo, once again very fluently. So much to discover, it leaves you breathless, while at the end of the trip you just feel the need to hear this one more time. Aren't these the best albums?

Okay, let's make a small comparison with the previous album. Clean vocals have gone, that's why the gothic influences and adoration for Amorphis is replaced by an identity of their own. Keyboards are better worked out and assimilated, bringing progressive influences more in the front. But do not get me wrong, 'Caught In A Wheel' remains heavy stuff! Only the fifth song 'Of The Man Who Died' has a quiescent intro with whispering voices and keyboards, showcasing a kind of progressive tinge, furthermore we just have an orgy of progressive death metal, coming to culminating points during the diverse 'Trail Of Beggars' and the superior 'Velocity' which opens all registers during its nine minutes length, on progressive level as well as on merciless death metal grooves. This is, without any doubt, my album of the month! Unfortunately there is no heaven without hell: both guitarists Kasperi and Tommi have just announced to leave the band and Elenium is looking for replacement. That's what you get when the world has no attention for high level quality! Do support them a little bit by buying this 'Caught In A Wheel' anyway, you will not regret it!

-Vera-

Rating 95/100