The Elysian Fields

Shrouded in an aura suitable for a band hailing from the mythical and legendary Greek Islands, The Elysian Fields dwell on the misanthropic and the heroic. Tales of ancient struggles and bitter conflicts dominate their sound, which relies heavily on extreme tempo changes, ripping melodic guitars and ancient orchestral touches with the use of violins and piano. The Elysian Fields certainly sound like no-one else, alternating between hate-filled blast passages and mood driven reflective moments. But such moments are merely the calm before the storm - the passionate philosophy behind the music provides such a driving creative force that The Elysian Fields debut Wicked World album 'We...the Enlightened' rages with a seldom experienced ferocious level of intensity. A longing for the the golden age of Ancient Greece serves as the overriding theme behind the band's music, a theme which provides many avenues for lyrical exploration as well as musical inspiration. The determination of the band can be judged by their rise from the obscure Greek underground scene, firstly with the obligatory demos, and then with the release of their debut album, 'Adelain,' through the Unisound label in 1995. Certain restraints placed on the band prevented live appearances, not least of all the avant garde nature of the material and the compulsory military service still implemented in their home country, which meant that despite excellent reviews, the album remained the sole property of the underground. All that is set to change with the release of 'We...the Enlightened,' an album that remains listenable and innovative even though it draws upon so many diverse sounds. At its most basic, The Elysian Fields sound is aggressively upfront, and therefore utilises the common metal denominators - fast rhythms, attack-mode guitars and screamed vocals. However, when the band throw into the equation unobtrusive piano and orchestral sounds together with varied vocal styles they lift themselves above the ordinary. Flowing throughout 'We...the Enlightened' is the proud homage to the Ancient Greek legends and legacies; tracks like 'Their Blood Be On Us' and 'The End Shall Be Tragically Fulfilled' relate tales of struggle and perseverance for those who fought to maintain a dignified, exalted way of life. Defenders of their culture and heritage, The Elysian Fields combine the avant garde with a seething, hate-fuelled philosophy. 'We...the Enlightened' is ultimately music of a perverse form - driven by rage, but twistedly enjoyable all the same.