Release
date: June
19th
2020.
Label: Electric
Funeral
Records. Format: DD
Elephantus
– S/T
–
Tracklisting
1.A
Espinha Dorsal da Noite 07:50
2.No
Rastro da Serpente 05:31
3.O
Chamado da Floresta 06:11
4.Elefantíase
Pineal 05:15
Members
Marcelo
Maus - Guitar/Vox
Andrei
Mamede - Drums
Review
South
American Doom/Stoner Metal Duo – Elphantus – debut self-titled EP
is a release that blends Brazilian and Oriental cultures with the
powerful melodies of Doom/Stoner Metal for a heavy and far-out style
of music with the band focusing upon building Progressive Cinematic
Grooves to their overall sound. The EP may take a couple listens to
become used to. As Elphantus music is quite fast-paced and includes a
lot of different sounds that you wouldn’t expect for a Doom/Stoner
Metal release.
The
EP lasts 25 minutes and the band offer 4 tracks that are quite
intense and very raw from the start with the opening song A Espinha
Dorsal da Noite being the standout song on the EP. Elphantus explore
many different themes on this song and perhaps show their wildest
ideas on this track. The heavy psychedelic guitars have a raw violent
energy to them with the drumming having a more progressive flair.
Second
song - No Rastro da Serpente – has a more unsettling approach
especially with the vocals and the overall sound of the EP. It’s
raw and lacking in finesse but there is something addictive to
Elphantus approach to this song that you wouldn’t expect. The
Doom/Stoner Metal riffs are superbly played but the lo-fi production
makes it harder to hear things at first. Though, multiple listens
will allow the listener to become more accustomed to this style of
music.
The
final two songs - O Chamado da Floresta and Elefantíase Pineal –
show
Elephantus playing a more threatening style of music that becomes
more Doom and Thrash based in places with Elefantíase Pineal being
the other standout song on the EP.
Elphantus
definitely show a lot of promise on this EP. I’m hoping their next
release will be bolstered by better production as well. Elephantus
aren’t the finished article yet but the signs are promising that
the band will release something special in the near future.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
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