Elder came to this world as a Conan-themed(!) stoner-doom band, but they’ve outgrown and transcended all their old self-imposed limitations. Their third LP offers five Odyssean epics filled with aching melodies, monumental riffs, and dazzling guitar leads — and Elder have brought all those elements into such sharp focus that their collective impact is heightened tenfold. Lore isn’t hazy or monolithic; it’s crystal clear, impeccably crafted, and not just impressive but thrilling. The most undeniable element here is frontman Nick DiSalvo’s guitar work, which seems at times superhuman. But the whole is still greater than the sum of its parts: Lore is something to behold, something to be awed by, an apex. –Michael

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