Swedish powerhouses of symphonic metal, Eleine, are set to release their new creation, a wonderfully crafted EP, titled “We Stand United”, on September 5th via Reigning Phoenix Music and we had the pleasure of hearing it first. Having followed Eleine´s path throughout their years in the metal industry, this EP was an extremely pleasant surprise and I was thrilled to dive into the band’s intricate world. With Madeline Liljestam´s voice having followed me in my own influences and music journey, it’s safe to say that she absolutely has a one-of-a-kind, symphonically crafted vocal style. This offering includes five tracks, each crafted with precision and the band’s signature sound, yet fresh notes. So, we embark on the journey of “We Stand United” with the intro piece “Towards the Fields” – wonderful, powerful and very Eleine, this is definitely a strong beginning to the album. The self-titled track, “We Stand United“, blares next, an anthem, showcasing the band’s strong bond with their fan base. It’s always emotional to see bands writing about their fans and Eleine do it with such grace and power, that it brings tears to our eyes. Next two tracks are live performances of “Never Forget” (the single that was first released) and “We Are Legion” at Masters Of Rock 2024, two powerful versions of full force live energy. Last but definitely not least, the album closes out with a symphonic version of one of my favorite tracks “Promise of Apocalypse”. Gorgeous vocals that soar over the intricate instruments and the symphonic element that made me fall in love with Eleine even in the beginning, it’s a masterpiece of a closer. This band I will definitely keep an eye on and would be extremely happy to catch down the road at some point.
♦ 9/10
Christina X
