Elder sits at the top of their field, a rare heavy band with a genuinely singular sound that has earned both widespread critical acclaim and a massive, devoted audience. The Massachusetts-to-Berlin transplants have conquered the world with their brand of long-form, psychedelic stoner rock, which effortlessly evokes the hypnotic sprawl of 70’s prog and fuses it with towering, fuzz-drenched guitar work. Elder cemented their greatness with the riff-forward stoner psych of Lore (2015) and the pensive doom/prog of Reflections of a Floating World (2017), but stumbled a bit with the more straightforward Omens (2020). 2022’s Innate Passage was never covered here, but it proved the band still had plenty of creative momentum, embracing mellotron-laced atmospherics and expansive prog excursions without losing the crushing guitar work at the heart of their appeal. Now, four years later, Through Zero arrives with early singles hinting at an even deeper dive into synth-heavy textures and cosmic reflection. Does Through Zero serve as another worthwhile addition to the Elder catalog?
Through Zero features many of Elder’s trademark mannerisms, but complicates their stoner inclinations in favor of more amorphous soundscapes that prioritize dynamics. Elder still deploys bombastic, fuzzed-out riffs and complex, interlocking rhythms and melodies, but they’re buoyed by longer stretches of calming, golden age Yesisms and introspective krautrock-flavored wanderings. Compositions don’t move between various parts as much as they unfurl seamlessly and organically, with meditative, odd-meter loops giving way to crushing guitar theatrics and emphatic hooks, all while maintaining an immaculate sense of psychedelic contemplation. While Elder still sounds like they’ve bottled the rare moments of transcendence that arise in the best of freeform jams, their songwriting now feels more intentional, grounded by a firm sense of contrast and a consistent push-and-pull that comes across as carefully patterned rather than formulaic. The band showcases a nuanced take on the classic and effective “soft/loud” paradigm, as tracks weave effortlessly between quiet deliberation and crushing grandeur, each shift serving to heighten the eventual climax of dizzying catharsis. This allows the stunning conclusion of songs like the title track and “Sight Unseen” to stand alongside the best Elder moments, rivalling the peaks of “Sanctuary” or “Illusory Motion” in resounding splendor.
Of course, these sonic journeys are only able to soar so high due to the strength of the individual parts and performances, with Elder’s veteran chemistry shining through across every facet of Through Zero. Elder truly move as one cohesive unit, main axeman and vocalist Nick DiSalvo leading the charge with jubilantly clean, single-note runs and multifaceted heavy guitar explosions (“Sigil to Ruin”). Behind him, the rhythm section follows perfectly in step, allowing complex patterns and grooves to coalesce into something instantly familiar. DiSalvo’s vocals are still the least impressive element, but he leans far more into an ethereal John Anderson tenor, using his voice to emphasize notable passages rather than to dominate them. Synthmaster and second guitarist Mike Risberg has been with the band for years, adding nuance to the longform meanderings and accenting powerful crescendos. On Through Zero, he’s given much more room to leave his mark. A song like “Capture/Release” demonstrates the added depth the Tales From the Topographic Oceans style synths can add, beginning with a stunning electronic shimmer and playful plinks and ending with a searing keys solo that serves as the cherry on top of an already impressive riff-fueled finale.
For all of its intricate musicianship and circuitous compositions, Through Zero is a remarkably easy record to get lost in. Despite 5 out of the 6 tracks approaching the 10-minute mark, no moment or motif overstays its welcome, and every crescendo feels earned. Elder themselves took part in the production and mixing process, and their attention to detail is evident in the record’s rich analog warmth that never sacrifices modernity. From subtle cymbal washes and gentle synth pulses to towering distorted guitar tones, every sonic peak and valley feels carefully placed, giving the music an unexpectedly serene quality. That sense of tranquility reaches its apex on the closing track, “Blighted Age,” one of the shortest and most subdued pieces in Elder’s catalog. Eschewing the monumental builds that define much of the album, the song unfolds as a contemplative acoustic meditation, bringing Through Zero to a quietly reflective close.
In many ways, Through Zero feels like the album Elder have been building towards across their storied career. It blends the psychedelic riff-porn of Lore and Reflections with the atmospheric synth prog of Innate Passage and even sharpens its approach with the more discernible structures of Omens. More importantly, it captures the sense of wonder and transcendence that has always made Elder special, delivering some of the most rewarding music of their career in the process.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: N/A | Format Reviewed: Stream
Label: Blues Funeral Recordings
Websites: beholdtheelder.com | facebook.com/elderofficial
Releases Worldwide: May 29th, 2026
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