The loss of a band member is always a sad thing, especially to the band and of course for the fans too. ELIS lost their frontwoman Sabine Dunser, but that did not stop them from continuing and moving on. Now with a new singer they bring us a new album Catharsis and ELIS too prove that there is no word for surrender in the German language.
Catharsis is the fourth album for the Band from Liechtenstein and the new album is here to destroy all believes that want a band to lose ground when they change their frontman/frontwoman under any circumstance. Not only did they not lose ground but they play as powerful as ever proving that ELIS are here to stay. Catharsis keeps the bands signature Symphonic/Doom Metal sound influences to their gothic Metal  but goes and extra step forward to add hard hitting guitars riffs. With Core of Life we begin heavy and get a first taste from the great voice of the new singer Sandra Schleret, she brings a new air to ELIS here voice powerful and aggressive; she carries the feelings of each song in her voice and serves them foul force to the listener. Twinkling Shadow continues the way Core Of Life paved aggressive, melodic with an excellent guitar solo and low male grunts. The songs have the intensity that characterizes the Symphonic Metal genre. Warrior's Tale is all one could expect and more from a warrior's tale, filled with passion and melancholy, the combination of both female and male vocals along with the great music make the song epic. Then comes the first of the two German songs Des Lebens Traum - Des Traumes Leben a trademark in all
 ELIS albums, the song is a classic gothic Metal song the vocal game played by Sandra and Tom reminds me of the second album from THEATRE OF TRAGEDY, an excellent song. I Come Undone is a love song in the gothic Rock norm, probably the weakest song in the album. Firefly comes next and the band builds up strength, giving way to two heavy guitars solos. Morning Star is followed by the second German song Das Kleine Ungeheuer and comparing the English vocals with the German who are also the native tongue of ELIS one can see that Sandra is as comfortable to sing in English as she is in German. The same energy and passion continues through the last three songs, songs that such as Rainbow are filled with strong feelings that take the listener away. In the end The Dark Bridge closes as powerful as the album begun.
Catharsis is a great new beginning, a definite catharsis from all the loss and pain of what has come to pass. Fans will not be disappointed and all the people who wish to try it out should not fear and dig right in, Catharsis is a great album by great musicians. Catharsis is definitely this editor's pick.