E-L-R are now revealing the video ‘Fleurs of Decay’ as the first single taken from the doomgaze trio’s sophomore album “Vexier”, which has been slated for release on March 11. The Swiss are also revealing the details of “Vexier”, which can be viewed below.
E-L-R “Fleurs of Decay” taken from the album “Vexier”: https://youtu.be/awlfeHkvPF8
E-L-R comment: “Our video for ‘Fleurs of Decay’ shows a close-up view on how we usually create new songs by always exchanging face-to-face energies”, explains the Swiss trio. “In this way, also our new album ‘Vexier’ came into being. The song itself is about pulling at the tainted flowers that choke you to set yourself free on an ethereal cold ride.”
Tracklist: 1. Opiate the Sun 2. Three Winds 3. Seeds 4. Fleurs of Decay 5. Forêt
The simple strumming of a rhythm guitar slowly expands into an ever widening reverb space. Gentle voices arise in the background. A lead guitar on a high note begins to thread roots through the velvet darkness of opening track ‘Opiate The Sun’ of E-L-R‘s sophomore full-length “Vexier” until the rising pressure finds a way out and the rapidly expanding sound-growth bursts out into the sun.
TThe style of the Swiss has been dubbed ‘doomgaze’ and ‘post-metal’ and both terms apply loosely to the trio’s meandering, down-tempo doom-epics. E-L-R‘s hypnotic phrases that are constantly varied and warped in repeating loops are reminiscent of shamanic rituals imbued with psychedelic colours. The trio weaves a subtle tapestry with diligence and persistence that depicts a labyrinth full of intricate details and hidden treasures.
E-L-R lure and seduce the listener with glimpses of deeper meaning and the constant discovery of new layers that reveal further ones once peeled away. “Vexier” does not give up its secrets easily and there are many shifts and twists hiding in the shadows as implied by the title that derives from the Latin word “vexare” meaning “to plague, to irritate” and in German a ‘Vexierbild’ means a flip-flop image while in some dialects a ‘Vexier’ is a puzzle game. All of these layers of meaning find an echo on this album. What is heard on the first spin might morph into something different and reveal new sonic shapes with repeated listening.
E-L-R were conceived by bass-player I.R. and guitarist S.M., who both also took on vocal duties in the German Swiss city of Bern in 2016. They were soon joined by another friend, drummer M.K., whose emotive and intricate style proved to be the perfect fit. The release of their debut album “Mænad” (2019) was greeted with widespread acclaim by critics and fans alike, and led to invitations to tour with AMENRA, supports slots for WOLVENNEST, HANGMAN’S CHAIR, and DARK BUDDHA RISING among others, and festivals such as Up In Smoke and Prophecy Fest, while an appearance at the Beyond The Redshift Festival in London is scheduled for March 2022.
During the global live-break of 2020 and 2021, the Alpine dwellers used the time to hone their song-writing skill to a new level of cutting-edge precision and to concentrate on a focused recording of their second full-length “Vexier” which was recorded and mastered in their hometown Bern by Remo Häberli at Hidden Stash Studio.
With “Vexier”, E-L-R take another decisive step forward and invite the listener on an adventurous journey through their fascinating and multi-dimensional musical cosmos.
Release date: March 11, 2022
E-L-R line-up: S.M. – guitar, vocals / I.R. – bass, vocals / M.K. – drums
Guest musicians: Remo Häberli – additional guitars / BAZE – vocals & lyrics on ‘Forêt’
Produced by E-L-R & Remo Häberli / Recorded, mixed & mastered by Remo Häberli Hidden Stash Tonstudio (CH) / Sound designs by Remo Häberli / Music written by E-L-R / Lyrics by S.M. (except for ‘Forêt’) / Cover photography by Laura Petresc / Portraits by Ramon Lehmann / Layout & Design by S.M.
Pre-sale link: http://lnk.spkr.media/elr-vexier
Available formats: “Vexier” is available as 180g dark green splatter vinyl LP, 180g black vinyl LP, and on Digipak CD.
