Review: Gorm – Elysium

It only seems like a few months since I reviewed their first record, yet Gorm are back already with their latest offering Elysium. Split into Part I and Part II both running at 12+ minutes each, the German 3 piece are progressing nicely and refining their heavy psych craft into some aural magic.

Elysium Part I doesn’t take long to kick in as the song begins to build like the launch into space Gorm are about to take you on. Guitars dive in and out and create big atmospheric soundscapes that build layer upon layer as the journey into the cosmos unfolds.

To make musical comparisons, the obvious are Elder, Rotor and My Sleeping Karma, but Gorm are forging their own path throughout the planetary systems. With this style of instrumental rock, bands can either travel into the desert or the night sky and Gorm sit well up within the comets and the nebulas.

Elysium Part II feels more of an upbeat track that has its interstellar course already set. There’s lots of rolling drum beats and crashing of cymbals before the song takes a different course and the bassline ramps up (ala Pink Floyd) and the guitars float in and out as you feel the gradual descent back towards land. 

With the endless cancellation of shows right now due to Covid-19, we are just going to have to wait a little longer to witness the whole of Elysium being played live.

After several listens to this already, I have no doubt that they will have their own “Dead Roots Stirring” epic in the making soon, hopefully in the next record.

The digital version is already out there to consume on all the usual platforms and the two vinyl versions (White/Blue Smash and Blue Translucent) which look rather special, will be available any day now.

Also, if you didn't manage to see their livestream session on Saturday night, I have included it here as it was rather good!


 
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