REVIEWS

REVIEW section : Myteriouos Views in Stone Garden

StonerRock.com by Deaf Sparrow and Arzgarth

"Hailing from way across the globe, the majestic land of the rising sun, more exactly Nagoya, Japan, are Eternal Elysium. “Shadowed Flower” has an entrancing mid tempo to it that’s marred by what sounds like two or three carpets of guitars. The vocals are great; classic in its clarity, they approximate the pitch of a Mike Patton circa the time when he actually sung and wasn’t that concerned with mere fuckery. The wah-wah heavy solo jams because it goes so long, because it strips the song to its bare essentials and because it informs the uninformed listener that Eternal Elysium are not necessarily influenced by the doom acts of today. No sir, these dudes revere to history. They bow to it, and to prove it they have filled this song with stylish solos."
"And if you thought blues could only be made by Americans, think again dumb ass. “Northern Smile” has more soul than three Kenny Wayne Shepards in their blonde mane. Sure, this trio only keeps it up for a few second before shifting to a more elaborate version of boogey rock, gone sad doom and reverted back to boogey, but damn I am impressed. This 10” is rounded by two more songs, “Absent Pain” and “Views on A) B) C)” both which display the band’s penchant for jamming and epic songwriting. The latter, like its oblique title shows, rocks out in space ways the only way it knows, the right way."

Deaf Sparrow

Last fall, Japan's Eternal Elysium released a split with American upstarts Black Cobra. New material by the seminal band is always a good thing, but the the CD's hefty import price and the fact that Black Cobra released their songs shortly thereafter as the Feather and Stone album probably dissuaded many from dropping the cash or investing the time.
Well, here's your second chance. The three worthy songs from the split - “Shadowed Flower,” “Northern Smile,” and “Absent Pain” - have been re-released on vinyl (you won't miss “Golden Seaweed.” Trust me), along with a new track. Those who've checked Eternal Elysium out know that they can deliver some great psych-stoner-doom blues. There's a full-on Sabbath groove to “Shadowed Flower” and “Absent Pain.” “Northern Smile” is a bit more rock-oriented and takes a while to really get going, but it ends with a fantastic jam. Speaking of which, “Views on A, B, and C” is a stellar instrumental. It's pretty open for an Eternal Elysium number, approaching Marble Sheep territory with its inventiveness.
Generally speaking, as bands get older, their material starts waning, but that's not the case with these guys. It's really impressive stuff, moreso than what was on their last full-length. If you skipped out on the split, don't make the same mistake again.

Arzgarth

RAW & WILD by Marco Cramarossa

Altra uscita per l’etichetta belga Electric Earth, e quindi un altro vinile dal suono caldo e corposo, in questo caso un 10” dei nipponici Eternal Elysium, band attiva da una quindicina d’anni nel circuito heavy/psychedelic, per cui in quest’album troverete riff corposi, slow tempos, e cavalcate acide alla Steppenwolf. Tutti elementi che ci rimandano indietro nel tempo di trent’anni, e ci fanno sognare infinite corse in Harley Davidson lungo assolate autostrade. “Northern Smile” è un capolavoro di stoner farcito di psichedelia, “Absent Pain”sembra stata scritta da un Frank Zappa innamoratosi dell’heavy metal, mentre la conclusiva “Views on…” è un vero e proprio delirio musicale in cui il doom, l’hard rock dei Led Zeppelin e l’acid blues si amalgamano con maestria generando una caotica spirale sonora, che precipita continuamente verso territori hippie/ woodstockiani per poi risalire all’improvviso verso sonorità più canonicamente heavy. Un disco spiazzante, folle, e proprio per questo da avere assolutamente!
Voto: 10/10

Metalfan.nl by Ruud

Onlangs kon u mijn review lezen over de ep van Black Pyramid en met dit stukje tekst hebben we de achterstand met Electric Earth Records ingehaald. Namens deze platenmaatschappij bracht het Japanse Eternal elysium kort na de eerst genoemde band ook een EP uit. Naja, EP... Er staan weliswaar maar 4 nummers op, maar samen klokt het geheel net niet een half uur. Niet dat het iets uit maakt, want het gaat ten slotte gewoon om de muziek.
Na het luisteren van deze ep is het duidelijk zijn dat woorden als ‘’saai’’ en ‘’verveling’’ niet in het woordenboek van Eternal Elysium staan. Werkelijk een heel scala aan rock en metalgenres komen voorbij in de muziek van deze band. Ik heb het dan over doom metal, stoner, ‘70’s (prog)rock, vroege heavy metal, moderne rock en af en toe lijkt het alsof Jimi hendrix voorbij komt. Gooi dit alles in een blender en giet er nog een lekkere groove overheen en je hebt het geluid van Eternal Elysium.
Eerlijk gezegd is er niks aan te merken op Mysterious Views In Stone Garden. Zonder echte uitschieters is het niveau bovengemiddeld hoog. Sommigen zullen de vocale prestaties te nasaal vinden, maar wat mij betreft past het er uitstekend bij. Net als bij Black Pyramid is deze vinylrelease beperkt uit 500 exemplaren. De fans van het oude werk kunnen dit probleemloos aanschaffen, mochten ze dat nog niet gedaan hebben.

Hellride Music

A limited edition pressing of 400 on black vinyl here, also includes a bonus poster which is very cool indeed. For those of you unfamiliar with the mighty Eternal Elysium, they channel the spirits of their heavy psych countrymen and predecessors in the fuzzed-out, wah-drenched, jam-oriented band such as Flower Travellin' Band and Blues Creation, while borrowing a bit from Sabbathian tome of negative riffery now and again. The band manages to stay fresh and updated though, even taking a cue from the essentially American boogie-rock bands of yore. In short, if you love heavy fuzz with that classic feel, you're gonna love EE. Imported from Belgium.

Peacedogman.com by Cardona

Japan's ETERNAL ELYSIUM, on the other hand, has been around for over a decade. As far as their sound is concerned, think CHURCH OF MISERY minus some of the sludginess and improv jamming, add a bunch more 70s rockin' melody, douse the whole thing in feedback and you've just about got it. "Shadowed Flower" is a well-structured rocker with some of the best doom riffs that Bobby Liebling never wrote. The ironically named "Northern Smile", on the other hand, has more delicious Southern-fried twang than anyone would ever expect from a Japanese band. And fittingly enough, the high hat & bass intro to "Absent Pain" brings to mind both "War Pigs" and "Hand of Doom" at the same friggin' time, only to usher in plenty of Ozzy-worthy double octave vocals and Iommi-inspired riffs. These three tracks, which were originally on a split with BLACK COBRA, are also accompanied by a trippy jam called "Views on A) Puzzles, B) Incognito and Bewildered C) Transformation", which, oddly enough, is currently tricking my brain into thinking there's bong water in my coffee. Weird, huh?

Well, it looks like Electric Earth Records is batting 1.000 with their impeccable ear for the real thing, and so long as they don't completely limit themselves to small vinyl pressings (hint: most folks have CD players), they just might be able to give labels like Southern Lord and Rise Above a run for their money. In the meantime, these two releases are available for a very limited time (400 black and 100 color pressings apiece), so don't be forced to sell your soul to the devil… just plop down the 16 euros now.

rating 4.5 / 5

Electric magic by Chris

Die Japan-Doomer von Eternal Elysium bringen uns die zweite Veröffentlichung des neuen, Vinyl-only Labels Electric Earth. Zur Band an sich muss man glaub ich nicht mehr allzu viel sagen, oder? Sie sind nach vier Alben und unzähligen anderweitigen VÖs (Splits, Compilation-Beiträgen usw.) sicher eine der bekanntesten japanischen Bands in unseren Sphären. Mir würden ansonsten maximalstens noch Church Of Misery und Marble Sheep einfallen... bin aber ehrlich gesagt, musiktechnisch gesehen, kein großer Japan-Freund , da ich zu oft mit dem Gesang meine Problem hab, auch Eternal Elysium bilden da für mich leider keine Ausnahme. Ich mäkle aber auch sehr gern an allem rum ;-)... Ansonsten werden alle Freunde des eher 70s geprägten spacigen Stoner/Doom mit den vier Songs dieser 10“ sehr gut mitgehen! Für Fans allerdings Vorsicht, denn drei Titel davon wurden schon mal auf der 2007er-Split CD mit Blag Cobra veröffentlicht.

Lord of Metal by Erik

The Japanese stoner trio Eternal Elysium consists of Yukito Okazaki (guitar/vocals), Tana Haugo (bass, vocals) and Antonio Ishikawa (drums) is a forgotten jewel from the far East. They already have a four plus CD release behind their names on infamous labels like I Used To Fuck People Like You In Prison Records and Diwphalanx Records.
This 10-inch on the Electric Earth label is one that returns to the faster Eternal Elysium songs. They put the pedal to the metal and steam forwards in a QOTSA and Kyuss kinda way. For more recognizable influences I advise the site, but bands I hear in this utterly professional outfit are Captain Beyond, Flower, Pentagram and Master Of Reality. The last band is ruling in the song ‘Absent Pain’. Also the professional video clip of the swinging ‘Shadowed Flower’ shows us that Eternal Elysium is a band to be reckoned with. This band must be on Roadburn next year, they bloody deserve it!
Erik stigmatizes this release with: 86/100 (details)

	REVIEW section : Myteriouos Views in Stone Garden

	StonerRock.com by Deaf Sparrow and Arzgarth
		"Hailing from way across the globe, the majestic land of the rising sun, more exactly Nagoya, Japan, are Eternal Elysium. “Shadowed Flower” has an entrancing mid tempo to it that’s marred by what sounds like two or three carpets of guitars. The vocals are great; classic in its clarity, they approximate the pitch of a Mike Patton circa the time when he actually sung and wasn’t that concerned with mere fuckery. The wah-wah heavy solo jams because it goes so long, because it strips the song to its bare essentials and because it informs the uninformed listener that Eternal Elysium are not necessarily influenced by the doom acts of today. No sir, these dudes revere to history. They bow to it, and to prove it they have filled this song with stylish solos." "And if you thought blues could only be made by Americans, think again dumb ass. “Northern Smile” has more soul than three Kenny Wayne Shepards in their blonde mane. Sure, this trio only keeps it up for a few second before shifting to a more elaborate version of boogey rock, gone sad doom and reverted back to boogey, but damn I am impressed. This 10” is rounded by two more songs, “Absent Pain” and “Views on A) B) C)” both which display the band’s penchant for jamming and epic songwriting. The latter, like its oblique title shows, rocks out in space ways the only way it knows, the right way." Deaf Sparrow Last fall, Japan's Eternal Elysium released a split with American upstarts Black Cobra. New material by the seminal band is always a good thing, but the the CD's hefty import price and the fact that Black Cobra released their songs shortly thereafter as the Feather and Stone album probably dissuaded many from dropping the cash or investing the time. Well, here's your second chance. The three worthy songs from the split - “Shadowed Flower,” “Northern Smile,” and “Absent Pain” - have been re-released on vinyl (you won't miss “Golden Seaweed.” Trust me), along with a new track. Those who've checked Eternal Elysium out know that they can deliver some great psych-stoner-doom blues. There's a full-on Sabbath groove to “Shadowed Flower” and “Absent Pain.” “Northern Smile” is a bit more rock-oriented and takes a while to really get going, but it ends with a fantastic jam. Speaking of which, “Views on A, B, and C” is a stellar instrumental. It's pretty open for an Eternal Elysium number, approaching Marble Sheep territory with its inventiveness. Generally speaking, as bands get older, their material starts waning, but that's not the case with these guys. It's really impressive stuff, moreso than what was on their last full-length. If you skipped out on the split, don't make the same mistake again. Arzgarth

	RAW & WILD by Marco Cramarossa
		Altra uscita per l’etichetta belga Electric Earth, e quindi un altro vinile dal suono caldo e corposo, in questo caso un 10” dei nipponici Eternal Elysium, band attiva da una quindicina d’anni nel circuito heavy/psychedelic, per cui in quest’album troverete riff corposi, slow tempos, e cavalcate acide alla Steppenwolf. Tutti elementi che ci rimandano indietro nel tempo di trent’anni, e ci fanno sognare infinite corse in Harley Davidson lungo assolate autostrade. “Northern Smile” è un capolavoro di stoner farcito di psichedelia, “Absent Pain”sembra stata scritta da un Frank Zappa innamoratosi dell’heavy metal, mentre la conclusiva “Views on…” è un vero e proprio delirio musicale in cui il doom, l’hard rock dei Led Zeppelin e l’acid blues si amalgamano con maestria generando una caotica spirale sonora, che precipita continuamente verso territori hippie/ woodstockiani per poi risalire all’improvviso verso sonorità più canonicamente heavy. Un disco spiazzante, folle, e proprio per questo da avere assolutamente! Voto: 10/10

	Metalfan.nl by Ruud
		Onlangs kon u mijn review lezen over de ep van Black Pyramid en met dit stukje tekst hebben we de achterstand met Electric Earth Records ingehaald. Namens deze platenmaatschappij bracht het Japanse Eternal elysium kort na de eerst genoemde band ook een EP uit. Naja, EP... Er staan weliswaar maar 4 nummers op, maar samen klokt het geheel net niet een half uur. Niet dat het iets uit maakt, want het gaat ten slotte gewoon om de muziek. Na het luisteren van deze ep is het duidelijk zijn dat woorden als ‘’saai’’ en ‘’verveling’’ niet in het woordenboek van Eternal Elysium staan. Werkelijk een heel scala aan rock en metalgenres komen voorbij in de muziek van deze band. Ik heb het dan over doom metal, stoner, ‘70’s (prog)rock, vroege heavy metal, moderne rock en af en toe lijkt het alsof Jimi hendrix voorbij komt. Gooi dit alles in een blender en giet er nog een lekkere groove overheen en je hebt het geluid van Eternal Elysium. Eerlijk gezegd is er niks aan te merken op Mysterious Views In Stone Garden. Zonder echte uitschieters is het niveau bovengemiddeld hoog. Sommigen zullen de vocale prestaties te nasaal vinden, maar wat mij betreft past het er uitstekend bij. Net als bij Black Pyramid is deze vinylrelease beperkt uit 500 exemplaren. De fans van het oude werk kunnen dit probleemloos aanschaffen, mochten ze dat nog niet gedaan hebben.

	Hellride Music
		A limited edition pressing of 400 on black vinyl here, also includes a bonus poster which is very cool indeed. For those of you unfamiliar with the mighty Eternal Elysium, they channel the spirits of their heavy psych countrymen and predecessors in the fuzzed-out, wah-drenched, jam-oriented band such as Flower Travellin' Band and Blues Creation, while borrowing a bit from Sabbathian tome of negative riffery now and again. The band manages to stay fresh and updated though, even taking a cue from the essentially American boogie-rock bands of yore. In short, if you love heavy fuzz with that classic feel, you're gonna love EE. Imported from Belgium.

	Peacedogman.com by Cardona
		Japan's ETERNAL ELYSIUM, on the other hand, has been around for over a decade. As far as their sound is concerned, think CHURCH OF MISERY minus some of the sludginess and improv jamming, add a bunch more 70s rockin' melody, douse the whole thing in feedback and you've just about got it. "Shadowed Flower" is a well-structured rocker with some of the best doom riffs that Bobby Liebling never wrote. The ironically named "Northern Smile", on the other hand, has more delicious Southern-fried twang than anyone would ever expect from a Japanese band. And fittingly enough, the high hat & bass intro to "Absent Pain" brings to mind both "War Pigs" and "Hand of Doom" at the same friggin' time, only to usher in plenty of Ozzy-worthy double octave vocals and Iommi-inspired riffs. These three tracks, which were originally on a split with BLACK COBRA, are also accompanied by a trippy jam called "Views on A) Puzzles, B) Incognito and Bewildered C) Transformation", which, oddly enough, is currently tricking my brain into thinking there's bong water in my coffee. Weird, huh? Well, it looks like Electric Earth Records is batting 1.000 with their impeccable ear for the real thing, and so long as they don't completely limit themselves to small vinyl pressings (hint: most folks have CD players), they just might be able to give labels like Southern Lord and Rise Above a run for their money. In the meantime, these two releases are available for a very limited time (400 black and 100 color pressings apiece), so don't be forced to sell your soul to the devil… just plop down the 16 euros now. rating 4.5 / 5

	Electric magic by Chris
		Die Japan-Doomer von Eternal Elysium bringen uns die zweite Veröffentlichung des neuen, Vinyl-only Labels Electric Earth. Zur Band an sich muss man glaub ich nicht mehr allzu viel sagen, oder? Sie sind nach vier Alben und unzähligen anderweitigen VÖs (Splits, Compilation-Beiträgen usw.) sicher eine der bekanntesten japanischen Bands in unseren Sphären. Mir würden ansonsten maximalstens noch Church Of Misery und Marble Sheep einfallen... bin aber ehrlich gesagt, musiktechnisch gesehen, kein großer Japan-Freund , da ich zu oft mit dem Gesang meine Problem hab, auch Eternal Elysium bilden da für mich leider keine Ausnahme. Ich mäkle aber auch sehr gern an allem rum ;-)... Ansonsten werden alle Freunde des eher 70s geprägten spacigen Stoner/Doom mit den vier Songs dieser 10“ sehr gut mitgehen! Für Fans allerdings Vorsicht, denn drei Titel davon wurden schon mal auf der 2007er-Split CD mit Blag Cobra veröffentlicht.

	Lord of Metal by Erik
		The Japanese stoner trio Eternal Elysium consists of Yukito Okazaki (guitar/vocals), Tana Haugo (bass, vocals) and Antonio Ishikawa (drums) is a forgotten jewel from the far East. They already have a four plus CD release behind their names on infamous labels like I Used To Fuck People Like You In Prison Records and Diwphalanx Records. This 10-inch on the Electric Earth label is one that returns to the faster Eternal Elysium songs. They put the pedal to the metal and steam forwards in a QOTSA and Kyuss kinda way. For more recognizable influences I advise the site, but bands I hear in this utterly professional outfit are Captain Beyond, Flower, Pentagram and Master Of Reality. The last band is ruling in the song ‘Absent Pain’. Also the professional video clip of the swinging ‘Shadowed Flower’ shows us that Eternal Elysium is a band to be reckoned with. This band must be on Roadburn next year, they bloody deserve it! Erik stigmatizes this release with: 86/100 (details)