Show Me the Way

Elis' extended play Show Me the Way was released to accomplish two tasks at once: bidding former singer Sabine Dünser farewell and welcoming new singer Sandra Schleret.

The title track was one of the catchiest tunes from the very good previous studio album Griefshire. It was recorded again with new singer Sandra Schleret and exists in a full version and a radio edit. The sound is a little bit crisper here and focuses more on powerful guitar riffs than atmospheric elements. This is a welcome change since Sandra Schleret sounds more energetic than Sabine Dünser as well. If you prefer the gothic side of the band, you will prefer the gloomy original version with Sabine Dünser but if you care about the metal side, Sandra Schleret's powerful performance might be your favourite. The band made the right choice by opting for a singer with different qualities instead of finding someone who would simply attempt copying Sabine Dünser's unusual atmospheric style.

This release includes three tracks recorded by the former line-up during the Griefshire sessions. ''Salvation'' surprises with choral elements as the atmospheric female vocals are supported by energetic, epic and melodic male choirs. Crisp growls add further diversity. This is also the kind of track that could come from Leaves' Eyes. It's probably the greatest of the three unreleased tunes.

''These Days Are Gone'' focuses more on symphonic elements and sinister guitar sounds that make for a mid-paced gothic metal tune that goes back to the genre's early era in the early nineties. It slightly recalls the style of Theatre of Tragedy. Genre fans will certainly like this song even if it lacks a truly catchy, imaginative or memorable element.

''In einem verlassenen Zimmer'' is a ballad focusing on harmonious vocals, string sections and harp sounds. Everything sounds appeasing, dreamy and timeless until the horrible electronic drum patterns kick in. They don't fit at all here and the song would have sounded much more efficient without them.

In the end, Elis' Show Me the Way is obviously the band's least essential release but it isn't a bad output either. The two new versions of the title track aren't of much interest but the three final tracks featuring Sabine Dünser should please genre fans with ''Salvation'' being the best track here. If you like atmospheric gothic metal and can get your hand on this rare extended play for a fair price, don't hesitate to purchase it.

Well, Sabine Dünser died... That's sad, but I feel it's time to move on, keeping her in our hearts and receiving another female singer to keep Elis as one the best bands of the new millenium. And, to do that, this time we have the talented ex-Dreams of Sanity female vocalist, who is also the female vocalist of Siegfried (Austria): Sandra Schleret.

In order to show the world how the next album would be like with Sandra's voice, Elis, released this EP in the latter half of 2007. And its name is "Show Me The Way", maybe the most famous song of the previous album, "Griefshire".

Unexpectedly, this album became very attractive to the fans, who started looking for it everywhere since its release. Why? Well, maybe because the EP does not only include two versions of "Show Me The Way" sung by Sandra: it also includes the last three songs written and recorded by Sabine Dünser: "Salvation", "These Days Are Gone" and "In Einem Verlassenen Zimmer", being all of them also part of the "Griefshire" concept. Let's take a look at them.

The new versions of "Show Me The Way" (one full and the other an edit one) are completely different from the version included on "Griefshire". Sandra's voice is different from Sabine's, and I hope the band take advantage of it and create excellent songs for the fourth album.

"Salvation" is maybe the lost part after "The Burning" (let's remember that, during the verses of "The Burning", we can hear the choir singing ''Salvation!''). It's not as good as many of the songs of the album, but it's interesting anyway due to it's music-free first chorus (at the very beginning of the song).

"These Days Are Gone" is maybe the most strange song of the EP and the album. There are many reasons for that: the lyrics are the best, and the rhythm is a little different from the other songs. I still don't know why it wasn't included in the album; it must be because its part in the story is a little hard to find.

And, finally, the best song of the EP, and the 'sister' of "Forgotten Love": "In Einem Verlassenen Zimmer". It's also a guitar-and-drums-free song, only played with a piano and, differently from "Forgotten Love" that requires a violin, a harp. This song is slow, dark and sad, but not as "Forgotten Love".

CONCLUSION: The B-sides make this EP a jewel. So, if you're an Elis fan, or if you liked "Griefshire", what are you waiting for? Go and get it!