Poland. When you think of Poland what comes to mind? Warschauw, Ebi Smolarek and Vader. Poland is not a country that delivers much metal. I know there is a big underground scene there (a lot of black –extremely right- metal bands), but so far Vader is the best known band from there.

Another Death Metal band from Poland delivers their 3rd CD; Elysium, a band that had some success with their last effort Eclipse, released in 2002. Because of that album, they toured with bands like Behemoth, Vader and Hate. The next step was making a new release to become better known to the metal heads in Europe. A few months ago they were a second stage headliner at Metalmania (a big music festival in Eastern Europe); a good start.

Their new album Feedback is a solid Death Metal album. They’re drawing influences from At The Gates, Testament, Opeth and Behemoth. They’re not ashamed of it and why should they? It’s an impressive CD. They don’t simply copy those bands, but add their own identity to the songs.

The quality of the production is awesome, every instrument is hearable. It’s a compact sound that adds to the listening pleasure.

Elysium also is not too keen of some technical stuff in their music. The CD is full of cool and sometimes complicated guitar riffs. The drums are just perfect for this kind of music; not too complex, but always in perfect rhythm. Vocalist Maciej Miskiewizc has a pretty cool voice, which reminds me of a combination of Chuck Billy (Testament) and Thomas Lindberg (ex At The Gates, The Great Deceiver). He sings about Aliens, dehumanizing process, and the domination of technology in the modern world. Interesting stuff.

I think Elysium – if they get the right promotion- can go really far. They’re just too good to become just famous in Poland. No, I advice everyone to listen to a song of this band. “World Hello Day”, “Aeolian Choreography and “Departure Fresco” are my favourites. Enjoy and support the Polish Scene!