Elisirius’ Visions of the Blind – A Haunting Journey into Blackened Abyss

Review By Glen Parkes

From the haunted forests of Broceliande in western France, the black metal quartet Elisirius has emerged, casting a shadow of cold fury and despair with their debut EP, Visions of the Blind. Released as a powerful statement of intent, this five-track EP is a bleak and atmospheric offering, meticulously crafted by guitarist and mastermind Steve Skies. Elisirius draws listeners into a dark, ethereal world, filled with haunting melodies, primal rage, and the rawness of human anguish.

Visions of the Blind opens with the title track, a sprawling 6-minute-plus journey that sets the stage for the entire EP. From the opening moments, the guitar work of Steve Skies shines, weaving intricate melodies over a relentless rhythmic backbone. The track’s eerie intro, slowly building with layers of dissonant guitars, plunges into a torrent of blast beats and tremolo picking, evoking an atmosphere of foreboding. The vocals, a tortured growl, emerge from the sonic fog, blending seamlessly with the instrumentals to create a soundscape of utter despair. This opener captures the duality of Elisirius’ style – atmospheric yet brutal, melodic yet punishing.

“Twisted Mind” follows, pushing the intensity even further. Clocking in at over seven minutes, this track showcases the band’s ability to balance aggression with atmosphere. The guitars scream and wail, yet maintain a sense of melodic structure beneath the chaos, while the drums pound with relentless precision. This song feels like an auditory descent into madness, with its shifting dynamics and dark, introspective lyrics. The track stands as a testament to Elisirius’ ability to convey emotion not just through the lyrics but through the very architecture of the music itself.

The third track, “13 Realms,” offers a slightly different tone. While still enveloped in darkness, this song introduces a more melancholic feel, with slower, more deliberate passages that allow the listener to breathe amidst the chaos. The guitar work here is particularly striking, blending black metal’s raw aggression with almost post-rock-like atmospherics. The transitions between somber melodic passages and crushing heaviness highlight Elisirius’ ability to craft songs that feel both expansive and suffocating.

“Across The Expanse” is perhaps the EP’s most compact track, clocking in at just under five minutes. Despite its brevity, the song does not sacrifice intensity. This track is a driving force, pulling listeners through a sonic landscape where every note feels deliberate and impactful. The speed and precision of the drumming, combined with the soaring guitar lines, give the song a frantic energy, yet it remains grounded by its haunting undercurrents.

The EP closes with “The Descent,” a fitting end to this journey into darkness. With its slower, doom-laden pace, the track feels like a gradual sinking into the abyss. The oppressive atmosphere builds throughout the song, as the guitars create a wall of sound that feels both grand and suffocating. The vocals, more tortured than ever, seem to echo from a distant, forgotten place, giving the track an otherworldly, almost ritualistic feel. As the song draws to its conclusion, it leaves the listener suspended in a state of eerie contemplation, a perfect closing note to this dark odyssey.

Overall, Visions of the Blind is a remarkably cohesive and well-crafted debut from Elisirius. Each member of the band brings their skill and vision to the forefront, with Steve Skies’ guitar work standing out as the driving force behind the EP’s haunting atmosphere. The production is raw yet clear, capturing the cold essence of black metal while allowing each instrument to shine through. For fans of atmospheric black metal, Elisirius’ debut offers a promising new voice in the genre, combining the traditional fury of black metal with moments of introspection and beauty.

With Visions of the Blind, Elisirius has staked their claim in the black metal realm, delivering an EP that is not only a testament to the genre’s power but also a deeply personal exploration of human despair and the shadows that lie beneath. This is an experience that pulls you into the depths and refuses to let go, leaving you haunted long after the final notes fade.