Rob’s Album Of The Week: Elder’s Omens

Sometimes it can be difficult to see which direction a band is going in. Progression is key to music’s evolution, and so far it has been a theme in 2020 among established acts, but sometimes it might take a while for the listener to get it. Tones can change and new things can come into play, but then the element that made the listener a fan in the first place pops up. That’s the best way I can describe the audial experience Berlin via New Bedford progressive psychedelic metal band Elder gives with their fifth album, Omens, that came out via Providence’s Armageddon Label on April 24. There are some notable differences, but the core of the band’s sound is solid.

One major thing that has stayed the same with Elder and their new album is Nicholas DiSalvo’s impeccable guitar skills. The riffs and chords he exhibits are straight brainmelters and they occur on a consistent basis. Michael Risberg also backs this up with his own stellar guitar techniques and notes on the keys. The rhythms from bassist Jack Donvan and drummer Georg Edert are tightly woven with Fabio Cuomo guesting on the keys for a few instances. I would say the major difference is the sonic vibes from the keys, they give off these electronic sounds that mirror ’70s progressive rock bands like Yes and King Crimson.

This whole COVID-19 thing has made me a spectator. I’m kind of in awe of how…