The name Elyose may not be one too known outside the European region. From France, for those in the dark, Elyose are a Metal act with a history that dates back over 14 years. A long time, this band, led by Justine Daaé, is a unique mix of Industrial, Gothic, and Alternative Metal styles. Performing each song in their native French language, any language barriers have not stalled them from attracting attention outside France. In fact, over the years, many have caught onto Elyose in places like Poland, Finland, and even Mexico. Even more inspiring, Elyose has expanded their reach all on their own as an independent artist through the years.
All attributes of dedication, an exciting sound, and one of the few positive aspects of interconnecting with others outside your territory via the worldwide web, Elyose still continues on in 2023. Rolling with changes, band members – Ghislain Henry, Patrick Cazu and Marc De Lajoncquière – all opted to leave the band in late 2019 to form a new project called Kalyss. An unfortunate bump in the road, Daaé did not give up, put out the Persona EP with a list of session players in 2021, and now returns in 2023 with the full-length album Déviante.
The fourth Elyose album to date, it finds Daaé working closing with Multi-instrumental Musician Anthony Chognard. Chognard, who began work with Daaé a few years ago, has seemingly found a good creative partnership with Elyose. That said, Daaé and Chognard, along with Maxx Maryan (known for his work with Helalyn Flowers) put together 9 tracks for Déviante that are quite powerful.
Very much along the lines of Industrial Metal meets Alternative Metal with some Gothic undertone, Elyose and Déviante does have its appeal. Comparable to Lacuna Coil at times, in terms of Daaé enchanting vocal delivery, and in the vein of the likes of Fear Factory or Motionless in White at other times, relating to the intense drums and crunchy, heavy guitars, there is plenty to groove into. That said, some of the most compelling moments arrive with tracks like “Ils t’ont dit,” “Le glaive,” “L’emblème,” and “De la lune à la terre.”
As mentioned, all quite energetic, the only critique with Déviante would have to be that it would be very interesting to hear Daaé sing over some less bombastic instrumentation as well for diversity. Explaining this further, much of Déviante’s production puts slamming drums and guitars loudly upfront, and this could result in ear fatigue for some.
Really a matter of taste, Déviante is not without its textures, because they are there all over, it would just be wonderful to hear Daaé with some less saturated tracks too, because she does some wonderful things with her voice. And if you are curious to hear her in a different sphere of creativity, there is also the new The Erinyes project featuring herself, along with Mizuho Lin, and Nicoletta Rosellini. This all considered, Elyose are very interesting and should deserve much more attention internationally. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Déviante 4 out of 5 stars.
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