It has been five years since the last full length from French Industrialists Elyose, a period of time that has seen significant change for them. Following on from their previous full-length Reconnexion, much of the band departed leaving vocalist Justine Daaé to keep moving forward. Now returned as either a band or essentially a solo venture (guitarist/producer Anthony Chogard is certainly in the ranks but it certainly seems like Daaé is the centre piece), the first full length of this incarnation Déviante (self) isn’t quite the statement of intent could have been hoped for.

It certainly makes a fine start at least; album opener “Ils t’ont dit” emits an almost 80’s style sci-fi dystopian movie feel in the early doors with its industrial instrumentation before a full opening into a djent style guitar tone and riffing. A few instances later Daaé’s vocals come forth and it becomes quickly abundant that this is the band’s ace in the hole; powerful and soaring throughout. 

A creeping sense of dread soon kicks in not too much further in, however; as enjoyable as it starts off, it soon feels very samey. The guitar style and playing is hard to bring individuality out of and songs do quickly become hard to differentiate between, often following very similar structures with drops in pace and motion and by the end it has all bled together without any true highlights. The vocal performance is certainly the strength here but even this does not carry this beyond generic territory.

Such large-scale departures within bands have been known to derail plenty in their wake so Elyose is to be commended for continuing on. The latest offering however feels pretty safe and pedestrian in a style which has arguably had its heyday. This is far from a bad album however and there will be plenty for such fans to enjoy, however, this is sadly far from a benchmark or innovative return.

Buy the album here:

https://elyose.lpages.co/deviante/

5 / 10

CHRIS TIPPELL