Elysia - Lion Of Judas

Elysia is a deathcore band made up of 5 members, Garrett Gilardi (Guitar), Jon Malinowski (Bass, Backup Vocals), Zak Vargas (Vocals), Chris Cain (Guitar) and Steven Sessler (Drums) from Sacramento, California. The bands original name was 'Elysiums Revenge' before shortening it to Elysia.

The band started in 2003 when all the members were still only freshman and sophomores in high school.The band has gone through many member changes, but appear to be sticking to the current formation. Since the band formed in 2003 they have released two EPs and one full length albumand completed two US tours, despite frequent member changes. The band may seem indecisive, but there is nothing indecisive about the way they deliver their music.

It's powerful stuff, with occasional rapidfire drums and thrashing guitars. The overall tempo of the album is laggard, with sections of enegetic beats and pulsing rhythms. Lyrically the band has struggled, being criticised for their immaturity. They then developed more 'social and poltically concious songs'. Moreover the band have also been banned from playing at certain venues due to their lyrical 'graphic violent content'. Despite these criticisms, the album is a definite success, appealing easily to their targeted audience.

The music is well suited to a live set as you can imagine a mutating moshpit full of rage filled fans. Pride Of Lions has a slow start, the introduction to the song amounting to almost a minute long. There is no progression from slow to fast, it a harsh contrast between the first minute and final minute of the song. Possibly like a pride of lions slowly waiting to attack their prey then pouncing; the transition between the slow start to the rushed finish is just like it. The end of the song thrashes it's way to the end, almost leaving the listener behind.

'Box Of Needles' the third track, lyrically outdoes the whole album, with delicately selected lyrics so eloquently written to convey meaning. Delicate might be the wrong word though... a pounding drumbeat emphasised by strumming bass guitar making the song as rough as a hedgehogs arse. The song features breakdowns, with slower vocals and melodies. Towards the end of the song it almost sounds like a countdown, with an air punching end and a resonating guitar finish.

The name of the album has obviously been named after their strongest track, the disciple who shunned and betrayed Jesus. 'Lion Of Judas' is rich with discordant rage, starting with a snare drum roll building anticipation to a pitch. The instruments make the melody growl and rumble, an effective introduction to the lyrics that follow. The song features typical deathcore breakdowns, displaying the vocalists rage filled emotions.Nearing the end of the song the melody takes on a morbidly seducing tone, only to be finished with deathlike screaming that '2000 years later.. no one is saved'. Elysia prove this fact simply by their existance - how can people be 'saved' when people still possess this much rage, anger and hatred? This 8-track album really gets the job done.

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