Elvellon - Ascending in Synergy

Angry Metal Guy

As I’ve mentioned a few times during my tenure, fem-fronted symphonic power metal was my gateway into the metalverse. Bands like Nightwish, Epica, pre-Hydra Within Temptation, and Neverworld’s End-era Xandria, among many others, were my favorite things in the world for many years. Even today, the style still holds a crucial place in my rotation. Unfortunately, very few breakout acts in the last decade made a mark in the scene. Two names in particular who buck that trend come to mind: Connecticut-based Dialith and the subject of today’s piece, German five-banger Elvellon. Featuring highly engaging songwriting and passionate performances, Elvellon’s debut Until Dawn rocketed to the forefront of my listening schedule. Six years later, can follow-up Ascending in Synergy renew their status as one of my favorite up-and-coming symphonic metal bands?

The short answer is a resounding, exuberant yes! Much like Until Dawn, Ascending In Synergy showcases everything great about symphonic metal when it’s done right: huge hooks, opulent orchestrations, and satisfying heft wrapped in a sparkly bow. Evoking an alternate universe where Nightwish released a transitional record between their Once and Dark Passion Play releases, Elvellon’s sophomore full-length contains enough bounce in its consistently addicting songwriting to shame a superball (“Unbound,” “My Forever Endeavor”). All the while, its songwriting retains the rich, theatrical delivery and vivacious attitude I hoped for (“A Vagabond’s Heart”). Gilbert Gelsdorf’s crunchy lead guitars and Jan Runkel’s delightfully gravelly bass guitar dance their way in and out of Pascal Pannen’s lush, yet tasteful keys with a graceful, yet palpable weight (“Into the Vortex”). To complement this striking balance, Martin Klüners’ percussion juggles dance-able beats, exuberant fills, and entertaining cymbal gymnastics with poise and purpose (“A Legacy Divine”). Over top, Nele Messerschmidt’s crystalline, yet brassy siren song makes every moment of Ascending in Synergy a special occasion, leveraging beauty with bite and making it seem as effortless as breathing (“Ocean of Treason”).

Ascending in Synergy by Elvellon

You’ll find Ascending in Synergy to be direct, lively, and most of all, irresistible if you have any affinity for this style. Especially strong in its front half, Ascending in Synergy presents five consecutive contenders for album highlight right out of the gate. Everything from opener “Unbound” through “Aftermath of Life” found its way into my daily rotation in an instant—whether in my office, in my car, or in my head. Of those, “A Vagabond’s Heart” jumped straight to the top of my Song o’ the Year list, proving that Elvellon have the songwriting chops to pen a true showstopper. Its verse and chorus work alone are enough to flood my heart with pure joy, and its instrumentation pulls more than enough weight to hold its own in the face of Nele’s stellar delivery. A close second, the epic “Ocean of Treason” throws a few Madder Mortem melodies into the mix, which helps differentiate the number from the lineup as it lights up my spine, and its final chorus evokes an all-encompassing euphoria powerful enough to brighten even the worst of days.

As with many symphonic metal albums, Ascending in Synergy involves a fair measure of sappiness, found primarily in its two ballads, “Last of Our Kind” and epic penultimate track “The Aeon Tree.” I happen to enjoy ballads in this genre, but these two represent a step down from the rest of the tracklist. In the former’s case, admittedly gorgeous vocal melodies and sultry guitar soloing allow for a welcome point of rest before the record’s second act, but on its own “Last of Our Kind” isn’t compelling or memorable enough to stand out. Thankfully, late album bangers “Into the Vortex” and “A Legacy Divine” pick up the slack. However, “The Aeon Tree” fumbles the final landing at the eleventh hour by including an overlong, disruptive monologue in the song’s center. It’s also odd that “The Aeon Tree” doesn’t close the album out. Instead, Elvellon chose to depart with one last bop, “Epiphany of Mine,” which feels misplaced in the album’s context.

Quibbles aside, Elvellon prove themselves as the genuine article with Ascending in Synergy. Not only is this record impossible to put down, it’s also improbably memorable. Despite its flaws and minor missteps, I’m hopelessly in love with Ascending in Synergy. Although I can’t fairly rate it as highly as I hoped, I nevertheless wholeheartedly recommend Elvellon’s sophomore outing to anyone and everyone who enjoys epic music like this. You won’t be disappointed!

Rating: Very Good!
DR: N/A | Format Reviewed: Stream
Label: Napalm Records
Websites: facebook.com/ElvellonBand | elvellon.bandcamp.com
Releases Worldwide: May 17th, 2024

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