Catharsis

Elis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 15, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Napalm Records
• ASIN: B002QQ2G0I
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,958 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Elis return from the depths of life with their darkest and strongest album ever: "Catharsis". Heavy guitar riffs and catchy, yet unexpected compositions unite with detailed vocal melodies in a charming symbiosis. The new front lady Sandra Schleret plays impressively with the nuances of her voice to include oriental melodic sounds, fragile emotions, and rock odysseys, proving her extensive vocal capabilities. "Catharsis" is an extraordinary Gothic Metal jewel that once heard, will not voluntarily be allowed to slip out of your hands.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A triumphant return from tragedy, December 21, 2009

By 

E. Anderson - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Catharsis (Audio CD)

It is hard to believe that it has been three years since the sudden passing of Elis' frontwoman Sabine Dunser. I thought finding a suitable replacement would be a difficult task and this singer would not be able to fill Sabine's shoes. My concerns were unfounded when the band found Sandra Schleret. As a sample of what to come, the band released Show me the Way EP last year which featured the final records of Sabine with the band and "Show Me the Way" with Sandra on vocals. I was impressed and I wanted to hear more. The band finally answered my yearning for a full length album with Sandra aptly titled Catharsis. The album is appropriately dedicated to their fallen singer Sabine.

One of my concerns with the album was Sandra's vocals. I felt she sounded awfully lot like Sabine. Much to my delight, Sandra's vocals on Catharsis is much her own. While I can certainly hear a vague resemblence to Sabine's delicate vocals, Sandra is definitely a force to reckon with in the metal scene. Her vocals are much more upfront and stronger than I expected. For once, I did not mind bassist Tom Saxer's vocals as I used to in the past. I enjoyed all eleven tracks. I particularly enjoyed "Core of Life" and "Come Undone". I loved the melodies on those songs and Sandra's vocals. I enjoyed all eleven tracks on the album. I think this is the strongest album by the gothic metal band to date. The melodies are more memorable than on the previous albums. There is less repetition in my book which in the past always dragged down the band's albums. I won't say which women are better singers, both Sabine and Sandra were and are terrific singers whose voices meshes well with the aggressive guitar riffs and thunderous rhythm section. Catharsis is definitely going to be on my best of 2009 list.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, March 11, 2010

By 

MO (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Catharsis (Deluxe Edition) (Audio CD)

This is my first Elis album. Quite honestly this is one of the more refreshing metal albums I've picked up recently. Last purchases being Epica's Design Your Universe, Krypteria's Liberatio and In In Medias Res, as well as Avantasia's The Scarecrow.

This album features some pretty darn amazing vocals and some of the most interesting song craft I've heard in some time. I'm reminded strongly of Sirenia's more recent albums with solid vocals, and some heavy and creative guitar work.

More of a metal romp than the symphonic heavy Epica genre so if you're after more full symphony metal this isn't your strongest candidate. All in all a great album to pick up for the collection.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new beginning for Elis, December 29, 2009

By 

Alexia "Hellhammer" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Catharsis (Deluxe Edition) (Audio CD)

As you may all know this is the first Elis cd with their new vocalist Sandra Schleret, she may not be the same as Sabine Dünser(RIP), but she fits in well with the band. Anyone whose into Gothic Metal, this is an enjoyable cd.