Eldricth ~El Nino~
RaY RaY Pine | Philly | 11/03/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I remember ordering this disc when it originally came out in 1998 from laserCD. That may make me officially old, I'm not sure. The disc is only nine years old and I guess a re-release and remaster was necessary? Either way, here we are.
Remastered for our listening pleasure, Edlritch's El Nino is thicker and darker then before. The eerie/dry keyboard synths of "No Direction Home," actually remind me of Vitalji Kuprij's work in Artension which was something I might not have picked up on ten years ago. Terrence Holler's voice isn't quite as grating as it used to be either. His normal timbre has a more shrill tone to it then most singers in the progressive/power metal genre. A lot more edge then I was used to in '98 but, not now.
Simone guitar work is pretty killer. His riffs are very aggressive and, considering how heavy the progressive metal genre has gotten through the years, this disc would sit comfortably next to them still. I would compare this disc's aggression and sound to a combination of Dream Theater's "Awake" and Artension's "Phoenix Rising" though Eldritch does manage to mix in other elements that these bands do not such as the electronic loops found in "Scar."
None of this does anything though to temper the 80's overtones throughout the disc which have always been an issue for nineties power and progressive metal. Eldritch aren't as guilty of it as Angel Dust or Savatage but, if you can't deal with some eighties undertones, don't look in this direction.
With that said, don't be dismayed. Songs such as "Scar," "From Dusk Till Dawn" and, "No Direction Home" are great power/prog songs with great hooks and drive. I've always been a big fan of the chorus of "From Dusk Till Dawn" because of its all encompassing presence. Its proggy, atmospheric and hooky.
The remastered El Nino includes six bonus tracks, one unreleased and five demos. The demo's are hit and miss and are probably only for the hardcore fan. The unreleased "Dreaming" is neoclassical piece that will remind a lot of listeners of early nineties Malmsteen ballad and for good reason since it's a Rising Force cover. A good song but not mind blowing.
A strong album revisited that, after a spin, actually deserved to be remastered. I highly recommend checking these guys out if you never had the chance when they first released this disc. If you're not into nineties power and progressive metal, you wont dig this. If you're looking for that style with a different spin, this might be just what you were missing!
"
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1