Review of Ellipsis - From Beyond Thematics

An intriguing power metallish band from France, Ellipsis does what it can to create brooding and foreboding music without resorting to the histrionics of other bands of this ilk, and for that we should give them some credit. The singer, especially, manages to remain pretty metal while actually singing. Yeah, it goes too much into the vibrato, Tateastic realm of quasi-emotive narcissism now and then, but never so badly you want to crash a truck into the guy. He walks on both sides of this fine line over songs that remain dirge like and just a little progish. Slower, menacing and with engineered heaviness, the band ‘s compositions are probably its downfall.

Sadly, as much as I wanted to get into the songs, I was left flat by the generally average energy and styling. There were some high points, but just as many lows and an average sounding record the rest of the time. Those highs can be found on tracks like the opener and the somewhat against type "Dark Sensual Nymph", a faster paced little number. But for the most part the pace is slow, the singing a cross between Tate and younger Coverdale, and the music desperately not quite epic.

Each musician is up to the task, such as it is. The guitarist and drummer could have done quite a bit to invest the songs with the energy and panache they so often lack, but chose to play it simple for the most part. The keyboards are fine, sticking to the “epic” style of quasi-symphonic noise that lends everything a cheap sci-fi feeling. And there is a flute! The production is another reason the record seems a little too republican. It’s roomy, volumetric, but drains the immediacy from the better points of the band. It sacrifices too much immediacy for the sense of vastness.

This is a pretty good record. Which, when you figure there are hundreds of records released this year and many of them are great and even phenomenal, just doesn’t cut it. This band could make some damned good music if it wanted to, or if it was allowed to. Maybe the next record will see this happen, but for now unless you are just dying for some French Power Prog with a decent singer and lackluster-if-competent songs, I figure this is a pass.

Release Details

Ellipsis

From Beyond Thematics

Comments

Related