ELYSION – Identity
Release Date: 16th October 2026
Label: Massacre Records
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Genre: Dark Atmospheric Gothic Metal
FFO: Evanescence, Within Temptation, Autumn Bride, Xandria, Stream of Passion, Sirenia, Edenbridge.
Review By: Mark Waight
Greek purveyors of atmospheric dark gothic metal and force majeure within the genre, ELYSION return once more with “Identity”, their eagerly awaited fourth full-length studio album. The band proudly announce that “Identity” is their most daring, mature and intense release to date, so, with the bar already set incredibly high by previous releases, the quartet have given themselves a mighty ambitious goal indeed to succeed on all counts.
ELYSION is Christianna (Vocals), Johnny Zero (guitars), Nid (guitars) and J-Kon (drums).
After a gentle and serene lead-in, “Do or Die” bursts into life with a full-on heavy chugging riff melded with some captivatingly beautiful vocals to get us off to a rock-solid start. Looking over its shoulders, the faster-paced “Guardian Angel” takes things up a gear or two with a halo-busting and heavenly sweet guitar solo to get you right in the mood.
Full of sorrow, “Dead Loves” is a heart-meltingly good track that ebbs and flows between bitter winter cold and warm embracing summer emotions. “The Last Ride” is a thumping Gothic anthem featuring Konstantinos Togas of Nightrage and Herta. His dark and guttural growls perfectly offset Christianna’s crystal-clear vocals to forge an absolute banger of a duet.
Next up, ELYSION makes a “Declaration of Darkness” and gently steps up the heat and pressure to melting point. With haunting vocals to match soprano extraordinaire Sarah Brightman and with a heavy on-the-hammer vibe, “Phoenix” is as hot as its fiery subject matter!
Enveloping you in its wonderful choral layers, “Gravity” skilfully pulls you in, ready for the coming “Harvest” where Sakis Tolis of Rotting Christ’s dark vocals make the perfect foil for Christianna’s ultraviolet vocals in a classic heaven n hell showdown!
“Moment In Time” is an up tempo, uplifting and inspirational tune that wouldn’t look out of place rearranged as a clubland mix. Slowing things down a tad, “Broken” is a harmonious and beautifully sad song that pulls gently on your heartstrings and will firm up your love of this fantastic album.
Closing “Identity” out with pure perfection, “Nighttime Whispers” is a passionate, sweet and traditional acoustic Mediterranean style love song. All goals surpassed on all counts. BRAVO!
Wow! “Identity” truly is one of the outstanding metal albums of the year so far and more than capable of rivalling the very best of them out there in any other genre too. The musical arrangements are superb; the vocals are sublime and fused together. ELYSION have made something incredibly special that should bring them in a whole new raft of fans. “Identity” is worthy of a spin on anyone’s turntable and my tip for the top as one of the best releases of 2026. If you’re going to add one album to your playlist this coming week, make it this one, and you can all thank me later. Very Highly Recommended!
(5 / 5)
