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Eilera - Darker Chapter... And Stars Part One
Reviewed by Eddie Risdal in 5/24/2010
After the fantastic "Fusion" I've been waiting in excitement for a new album from French duo EILERA. I was a bit disappointed as well as surprised when they were ditched from their label. Yet they headed forward and started recording new material, but as far as I know they still have no record deal. So why make a review?
They choose a different approach towards album release than the standard this time. Just before Christmas last year the first two tracks from their new album were released as downloads from their homepage. Another two followed some weeks later and finally the last two that concludes "Darker Chapter... And Stars Part One" were available in April. Now I've given all tracks time to grow or get boring and I'd definitely go for the first.
This time there is no producer taking care of the recording, they've done everything themselves and the result is actually very good. I don't know how experienced they are in doing stuff more serious than on the demo stage, anyway there is little to complain about in how things sound. The only thing that I miss is that I think an external producer could have added a little more variation in the arrangements, as many of the songs have some of the same chord progressions and structural patterns and ends up a little predictable. Also on the vocal side I get a feeling that she is choosing a safer path this time than earlier, it might be because the songs in a way demands it, but personally I dig it when she tries the unexpected.
From the intro track "Marching Towards Dawn" and through the next five tracks we're taken on a journey with focus on the different aspects of war, wether it's fighting in it, sacrifices, complications, freedom, passion, patriotism and love. EILERA's pronounciation has improved since previous releases, so you might not need the lyrics to get it, he he.
EILERA now has expanded from a duo to a trio, including bassist Jan Sormo in addition to the founders Eilera (real name Aurélie Potin Suau) and Loďc Tézénas. Also members to fill out a live band have been added and they are now luckily focusing more on playing live than ever before, so go check them out if you can! Meanwhile you can visit www.eilera.com to support the band by downloading the tracks, while we all wait for part two of the story, and a physical release when it's completed. I'm very much looking forward to the conclusion.
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