Goth-metal: female-fronted & good
Golovanov Alexey | Limassol, Cyprus | 01/01/2010
(3 out of 5 stars)
""Elis" is a good example of another European female-fronted goth (symphonic) metal - from Liechtenstein this time. Born in 2003 as a brainchild of Sabine Duenser (1977-2006) and Pete Streit, it found its niche in the second league of metal - the music was competent, but not exceptional, so was (is) the voice - the singing of Sandra Schleret (who replaced Sabine Duenser) is melodic and pleasant, but lacks the power of Tarja Turunen.
The new album of "Elis" is produced by Alex Krull, who inevitably tried hard to kill the album with his mindless growling and grunting, and almost succeed. "Catharsis" was nearly sacrificed for the sake of Mr Krull's past fame ("Theatre of Tragedy" and "Leave's Eyes", but was saved last moment by few really nice tracks - "Warrior's Tale" and "Rainbow", for example.
Still it's a pleasant album, albeit not an innovative one (to talk about a distictive style is either an ignorance, or a great exageration, which is a pity - because I like the band very much. Apart from everything, the artwork has a lot of taste, and the Website is decent.
If at the next attempt the band wouldn't touch Herr Krull with the barge pole (there is no lack of talented producers in Germany - I would have prefered Waldemar Sorychta -Faith ), and the sound engineer will erase at any costs the sounds of a male suffering from constipation (so-called "backing vocals"), it has very strong chances to move higher."
Excellent
mosminer | Denver, CO United States | 03/12/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is my first Elis album. Quite honestly this is one of the more refreshing metal albums I've picked up recently. Last purchases being Epica's Design Your Universe, Krypteria's Liberatio and In In Medias Res, as well as Avantasia's The Scarecrow.
This album features some pretty darn amazing vocals and some of the most interesting song craft I've heard in some time. I'm reminded strongly of Sirenia's more recent albums with solid vocals, and some heavy and creative guitar work.
More of a metal romp than the symphonic heavy Epica genre so if you're after more full symphony metal this isn't your strongest candidate. All in all a great album to pick up for the collection.
"
A new beginning for Elis
Alexia | Houston, TX | 12/30/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As you may all know this is the first Elis cd with their new vocalist Sandra Schleret, she may not be the same as Sabine Dünser(RIP), but she fits in well with the band. Anyone whose into Gothic Metal, this is an enjoyable cd."