Elliotts Keep Interview

1.     Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

The recording of the new album and the accompanying release details have kept us busy this year.  We are very pleased with the album and glad to have it finally released.

2.     Recently you have self released an album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction it has taken and also how does it differ from previous releases?

Overall, the songs are a bit shorter and more dense.  Sine Qua Nonwas a bit more sprawling than Nascentes Morimur.  However, the songs remain epic and contain our trademark thrash, progressive, death and black metal signatures.  To borrow and paraphrase a line from Tom Phillips, we have the same elements in our music, the ratios just vary from song to song and album to album.  The one new spice this time is the use of viola on the intro sections for two tracks.  John Perez described the alum as a “crusher” and that was our goal.

3.     What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new release explores?

Pain, change, questions in life and coping with great loss - tales of insurrection, grief and betrayal – our usual stomping grounds. 

4.     What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name Elliott's Keep?

We originally played together in a Dallas band named Marauder in the early to mid-1990s.  The fourth member of Marauder was Glenn Elliott, our singer and rhythm guitar player.  As with other great ones, Glenn died young in 2004.  When we decided to reform, we renamed our band to honor our fallen brother.

5.     What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

The Dallas Doom Daze festivals were great fun.  Our stage show is unpretentious and very heavy.

6.     Do you have any touring or show plans for the new release?

We choose to play live only on a sporadic basis.  At the moment, we have no plans but will see what the new year brings us.  Our focus will likely remain on composing and releasing new music.

7.     The new album is self released after releasing 2 albums on Brainticket Records, are you planning on working with a record label again in the future?

Nothing changed in terms of the production of the new record.  We recorded again with JT Longoria (Solitude Aeturnus, Candlemass, Absu, Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Volbeat) at Nomad studio here in the Dallas area.  The album was mastered by Gary Long, as was the case with the prior two records.  John Perez, doom godfather and head man at Brainticket Records, was globetrotting with his duties on the St. Vitus tour when we recorded this one.  With CD sales and the realities of downloading being what they are, we decided to go this route.  All is good with John.  We were chatting earlier this week about Nascentes Morimur and he will have it available for sale through Brainticket.  At the moment, the current outlet for CDs is  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/elliottskeep.  The album is also available at http://elliottskeep.bandcamp.com/ for free digital download and streaming. 

8.     On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the new album by fans of extreme metal?

The response to the new songs has been great.  Although we make the music we want to play and would like to hear ourselves, it is very gratifying to hear it resonate with others.  We very much appreciate those who post comments or send us a shout out.

9.     What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

We will stay on course.  

10.   What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Within the band, our listening preferences are not identical, but there is a significant amount of overlap.  Not surprisingly, we listen to doom, thrash, death, progressive and black metal and that is reflected in our music.  We also listen to other metal and non-metal genres.  There really aren’t any new bands that have directly influenced our music, but we do listen to new bands.  There are also many strong releases of late from bands that have been around for some time.

11.   Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Football, fiction and single malt scotch.

12.   Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Thank you for the opportunity to do this interview and for your review of Nascentes Morimur.  Have a great 2014. 

Elliott's Keep/Nascentes Morimur/2013 CD Review

  Elliott's  Keep  are  a  band  from  Texas  that  plays  a  very  traditional  form  of  epic  doom  metal  with  elements  of  thrash,  death  and black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2013  album  "Nascentes  Morimur".

  The  album  starts  out  with   some  drums  before  adding  in  the  epic  doom  metal  elements  from  the  guitars  to  create  a  sound  that  is  heavy  old  school  and  crushing,  as  the  album  moves  on  melodic  Wino  style  doom  metal  vocals  start  to  mix  in  with  the  heavy  instruments  as  well  as  bringing  in  aggressive  vocals  that  are  heavily  influenced  by  thrash,  black  and  death  metal  which  really  lead  up  to  an  old  school  80's  metal  sound,  once  the  album  goes  into  the  third  song  violins  are  added  in  briefly  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  direction,  when  spoken  words  are  added  in  they  help  enhance  the  darkness  of  the  music.

  By  the  time  the  album  makes  its  way  into  the  fourth  track  you  can  hear  the bass  guitars  getting  more  powerful,  while  the  doom  metal  guitar  riffing  still  dominates  the album,  also  on  the  same  song  guitar  leads  become  a  part  of  the  album  and  they  bring  in  a  dark  sound  without  having  to  go  in  a  full on  solos  mode,  once  the  melodies  start  to  make  their  way  on  the  album  the  music  starts  heading  into  a  lot  better  of  a  direction  and  they  mix  in  very  well  with  the  returning  violins  on  the  last  song.

  Song  lyrics  cover  tales  of  grief,  retribution  and  introspection,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  for  being  a  self  released  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Eliott's  Keep  are  a  very  great  sounding  epic  doom  metal  band  with  traces  of  thrash,  death  and  black  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Waves  Of  Anguish"  "Regicide"  "Tale  Of  Grief"  and  "Gates  Beyond".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  

http://elliottskeep.bandcamp.com/