25th May 2024

Review: “Elysium” by Enquire Within

Eight years into a journey that began in 2016, London Groove Metal horde Enquire Within return with their third studio album “Elysium“, created with the help of Dan Lucas (Will Haven, Tesseract, Queens Of The Stoneage) at The Joplin House recording studio. We’re calling it an album rather than an EP because it runs to seven track for seven deadly sins, which just so happens to be the requirement for streaming services to label it as such. Not that we’d usually side with such heathens but it is logical. The follow up to 2021 sophomore album “Rebirth“, this new record finds the band a four piece as second guitarist Amelia P. White exited stage left after a three year stint last year. Bassist Erim Ahmet, who played live with the band for a year in 2020, is now a fully fledged member and technically makes his recording debut on this one…

A 49 second introduction piece that evokes memories of Prince of Persia and is curiously enough the title track, “Elysium” serves to cleans the mind of all thought while stripping an extended opening from the powerful statement piece follow up that is “Seeds of Destruction” to make it more urgent. The later features a guest vocal appearance from Howard “H” Smith of Acid Reign and wages war on religion with stompy, groove laden riffs and pummelling percussive battery. Having two vocalist on board for this one give it more impact, the contrast between the voices working incredibly well as they offer different ranges as they stand apart and then together the the layering. Add to that tasteful extended solo and you have a gem of a track that the band could probably squeeze and extra 5 or 10 percent out of live. It has to be said that there are a couple of points on the opening jaunt where the guitars feel a little light, as if written for a pair of axes only for one to be taken away, however that is not something that surfaces elsewhere. A couple of shades darker the scalding “Sins of the Father” hits like a freight train and guitarist Dan Lewin headbangable brings the riffs from the very first note. Jacob Waller impresses vocally with greater range than we’ve heard before as he bites, barks and sings his way through the lyrics with aplomb. That continues into “Prison” which has a bitter sweet narrative about the downfall of mankind and a Traditional Heavy Metal leaning chorus before a spoken word. Drummer Henry Waller delivers a stand out performance on this one, the almost tribal passage in the final third outstanding.

Staccato riff breaks give more punch to “Final Seal“, a cut with a scorching solo and a distinctive old school Traditional Heavy Metal lyrical narrative with Medieval vibes. Even though the album isn’t named as a concept release there is an over arching theme in the lyrics from Jacob Waller about the end of days that runs through these tunes and this one is no different. He screams “The horseman’s wrath!” as the groove laden riffs flow with ease, fuel for mosh pits that will have fans raising poison chalices in his honour. There are moments where Jacob Waller’s harsh vocals remind of Adam Frakes-Sime of Stampin’ Ground and Romeo Must Die fame and arguably the shotgun blast that is “Point of no Return” is the most obvious of those. Another powerful, aggressive cut that plays out at the tempo of the damned, it has rich extended soloing in the final third that has jam session vibes and screams for improvisation live. A fresh take on the rousing title track of 2019 debut album “Bloodlines” from the current line up is a fitting conclusion to “Elysium“, the themes that run through it interweaving with the fabric of these new cuts so it doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb. If anything the new rendition is the metaphorical equivalent of giving a room a fresh coat of paint, while it isn’t strictly necessary, it does add a certain something to it. Enquire Within continue to impress with their third album, the quality of their musicianship and dedication to their craft ensuring that they maintain their high standards as they continue their perpetual forward motion. Take a bow Gentlemen [8/10]

Track Listing