Elysian Blaze
Cold Walls And Apparitions


2.5
average


Release Date: 2005 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A depressive black metal mixed with funeral doom that fails to ever really get going.

Black metal is a subgenre of metal that has been mixed with a lot of other styles of music. You have progressive black metal, melodic and symphonic black metal, viking black metal, etc. Well, Elysian Blaze is a band that opts for the depressing black metal sound while also mixing in elements of funeral doom. Not too many bands in the black metal genre mix their music with doom and this is their debut album. There are some top notch black/doom bands such as Forgotten Tomb, Nortt, and Forest Stream, but other than that there's not too many well known black/doom bands out there. How does Elysian Blaze's attempt at it turn out? Well it's pretty underwhelming if you ask me.

The thing that really drags this album down is the fact that it really never succeeds at getting started. The album starts out very promising with some creepy keys playing and if you're like me you might think you're in for a hell of a treat. Well that doesn't last too long. After the melody fades Elysian Blaze never really do anything too interesting. It's just like you're listening to another depressive black metal band that you've heard a million times before. The riffs never really keep you interested for too long and while they're obviously influenced by funeral doom, they don't provide that crushing and immense sound that funeral doom riffs should have. The drumming is pretty much a non-factor here seeing as how there's pretty much just one slow beat the entire time.

Probably the most annoying thing about Cold Walls and Apparitions is the effect on the vocals. They're so far in the background that you can barely hear them at all. Now some bands like Ash Borer have the same style, but you can hear some emotion in those vocals. These ones are pretty uninspired for the most part, except for at some points during Walking On the Winds of Sin. Other than that, it's an extremely bland vocal performance and quite frankly, will get on your nerves. Having to listen so hard to even hear a voice and then hearing vocals so monotonous and unemotional will just make you want the album to be over already.

Like I said though, there are some promising parts. It's very pleasant the few times where you actually hear some melody, such as the beginning of the opening track. If they would keep that going then this abum would be a whole lot more listenable. Unfortunately though this album is one big ball of potential that never gets reached whatsoever.

If you haven't guessed, I was extremely disappointed by this album. Just to warn you, if you're going into this expecting a crushing black/doom album, then you're gonna be underwhelmed. Boring riffs and drumming and a vocalist with zero emotion doesn't add up to a good listen. If you want some black metal with doom mixed in then you would be better off sticking with the bands I mentioned at the beginning of the review and staying away from this one, because it might end up putting you straight to sleep and not in a good way.



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user ratings (14)
3.3
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Hawks
November 30th 2010


93615 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Very disappointing album.

Digging: Black Curse - Burning in Celestial Poison

AngelofDeath
Emeritus
November 30th 2010


16306 Comments


Pretty good album imo, but Levitating the Carnal is better.

Hawks
November 30th 2010


93615 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

It just bored me. Never picked up at all.

AngelofDeath
Emeritus
November 30th 2010


16306 Comments


It's very pleasant Tthe few times


Typo here.

Not a bad review, but I'd consider revising your closing paragraph. Expectations and preconcieved notions shouldn't really used against one's opinions of an album. But maybe that's just me.

Hawks
November 30th 2010


93615 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Thanks for pointing that out dude. I'll try to fix it up.

Willie
Moderator
November 30th 2010


20311 Comments


I'll pos and avoid. Good job.

Hawks
November 30th 2010


93615 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Haha thanks Willie. You would hate this.

Crysis
Emeritus
November 30th 2010


17640 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Album is pretty good but nothing fantastic. Like a 3 or 3.5 at best.

Hawks
November 30th 2010


93615 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

It's borderline 3, but it's too long for it's own good.

Willie
Moderator
November 30th 2010


20311 Comments


Hawks, have you ever heard Longing for Dawn. Do you even like funeral doom?

KILL3
November 30th 2010


601 Comments


awesome review hawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hawks
November 30th 2010


93615 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Hawks, have you ever heard Longing for Dawn. Do you even like funeral doom?


I have not heard Longing for Dawn and yes I do like funeral doom haha.

Willie
Moderator
November 30th 2010


20311 Comments


Then.... do you see where I'm headed with that less question?

Hawks
November 30th 2010


93615 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I'm assuming I should check them out lol.

Willie
Moderator
November 30th 2010


20311 Comments


Ding, ding, ding.

Hawks
November 30th 2010


93615 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Any particular album?

Willie
Moderator
November 30th 2010


20311 Comments


They're all awesome. Just start with the latest.

Hawks
November 30th 2010


93615 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Alright man. I'll get on them soon.

Darkvoid67
November 30th 2010


383 Comments


Nice review Hawks. Yet another 2.5 review from you? Never thought i'd see the day

Hawks
November 30th 2010


93615 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Thanks man, and yeah this is boring as balls so had to 2.5 it.



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