Ereley – Diablerie

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On the border of Germany and Czech Republic lies a small town called Cheb. If you listen closely you can hear the reverberations of a genre blissfully self-titled ‘Heavy Joy Music’. Who, I hear you ask, is pioneering this new face of Heavy Metal? Well none other than the Czech 5-piece ERELEY.

Their second studio album “Diablerie” is a concept album which follows the idea of a pure soul slowly being corrupted and turning evil. The artwork, designed by Denisa Růžičková, depicts this theme perfectly. Showing a mans face that slowly devolves over three frames, the graphics become more crude with each image – showing the change of the individual over time.

The album opens with the title track “Diablerie”. The title is completely apt for the concept, the word developed from the Latin word for Devil. With a very progressive opening, if not seeming like it should have been pulled from an 80’s thriller, we are thrust into this journey of devolution. The lyrics seem to portray an individual having an argument with himself, imagine the lyrics as the conversation being had while the actual musical tracks show the turmoil in their mind.

Later in the album we come to “Hex” with clean vocals that descend during the track, we see the effect that the personal choices of the individual are having. We are introduced later in the song to an organ line backing the rest of the tracks, adding some further depth and feeling of despair throughout. Petr creates an interesting off beat feel as he plays a very unconventional rhythm over, what appears to me to be a 4/4 signature.

ERELEY utilise a very well-known motif in the introduction to our next showcased track “Enchantress”. With the guitars playing what sounds exceptionally like “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor”. BACH created one of the most instantly recognisable overtures and ERELEY seem to have used it to create the horroresque style that fits in so perfectly with this track. Overall this is an excellent song that showcases the skill and talent of all members. The last track I would like to bring your attention to is “Flames Of Deliverance”. We are treated to an almost 3 minute long build up. When the main body kicks in the track gives a feel of almost hope for progress and self-betterment, maybe this is the point where the protagonist of the album has tried to stop his nose diving development.

Overall I would have to say that this album is excellent. Musically it is sound, all parts of the group merge together to create a sound that you can just close your eyes and get lost into. The production, again I think, could use some minor tweaking but it is good. I can see all these tracks producing a great live show with lots of energy. As for the self titled genre; I would personally sit this quite comfortably within Prog, but there are subtle undercurrents that swing towards Doom Metal as well. But it certainly is Heavy Joy Music as it brought me joy to listen to. I would say that the concept of the album reminded me quite a lot of NINE INCH NAILS’ “The Downward Spiral” whilst musically I was reminded of somewhere between TOOL and GHOST. Now some people will not thank me for comparing any band to GHOST, especially putting them together with Prog legends TOOL, however I would love to know what people were reminded of by their music.

ERELEY, top job guys, keep going with what you are developing ad doing. I look forward to hearing what this fast growing group produce in the future.

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 10
Memorability: 9
Production: 8