You Show Me That Everything Lies There Inside Of Me

Elis – Show Me The Way

It takes a lot for a little band from Liechtenstein to impinge on the global consciousness of the internet but Elis managed it, although unfortunately under very sad circumstances. Their singer died suddenly and unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm last year, and during a rehearsal no less! This year the band have released the EP Show Me The Way as an interim measure to remind everyone that they have not broken up and to introduce their new singer.

The EP contains three unreleased songs featuring vocals by the late Sabine Dünser, and two versions of their new single 'Show Me The Way', recorded with the new singer Sandra Schleret. There are obvious comparisons to be made between Elis and Nightwish, with the way they blend metal with a melodious female voice, the keyboards supplementing the sound and their willingness to include a peaceful acoustic string-backed song in the midst of all the heaviness. The new song also puts me in mind of Evanescence, with it's chugging nu-metal guitars, although the new vocalist's voice has a more immediate similarity to that of Tarja Turunen (formally of Nightwish).

To my ears neither vocalist is better or worse than the other, but I do have a slight preference for Dünser, whose sweet, gentle voice was more unique within metal. I may have to seek out their last album with her, Griefshire, since she sadly won't be appearing on any more.