Elenium
Them Used Gods – 2002

January 2002
Released: 2002, Independent
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Rick

What a difference a year can make. I have been reviewing demo from Elenium on a regular basis for the last couple of years. They release between 2 and 4 songs at a time then send them out for review. Not a bad strategy overall because the bands development can be charted over the course of a couple of years. If you want to check more info on the band see my previous reviews which can be found in our review archive. For now I will just stick to the songs that the band have put to disc. They are 3 in total and are a vast improvement over the bands first 2 discs. “Demigodlike” opens the CD in spirited fashion with an almost powermetalish sound. This is something a little different for the band but refreshing as the vocals retain their rough edge. The keyboard playing of Johannes is as present as ever and on this track is the prefect compliment to the growling vocals. “Outside View” is the most surprising track on the disc as it almost treads into prog metal territory. A very interesting mixture of sounds for Elenium and a direction that hopefully they will explore in more detail. The disc is closed out with “Inbred Infinity”. Much of the vocals on this track are half spoken which gives it an eerie atmosphere that is again augmented by some dreary keyboard sections courtesy of Johannes.



The sound quality on this release is excellent with recording duties being handled by up and coming producer Nino Laurenne at Sonic Pump Studios. For those of you who don’t know Nino is also in the band Thunderstone and produced their debut CD on Nuclear Blast Records. He did a great job of creating crisp sound within which Elenium could spin their tapestry of sound. If the songs on this demo are any indication, the full length CD from Elenium will be something to look forward to.