Elder Find the Path “Through Zero” (Interview)

Key Takeaways

• Album releases May 29, 2024 via Blues Funeral Records
• Concept explores frequency crossing zero, symbolizing non‑linear reality
• Three of four members now live and write in Berlin
• Nick DiSalvo handles primary songwriting, production, and co‑mixing
• European festival tour announced; U.S. dates slated for fall

Pulse Analysis

Elder’s new album, Through Zero, arrives at a pivotal moment for modern progressive metal. By anchoring the record in a technical concept—frequency crossing the zero point—the band frames its six sprawling tracks as a meditation on life, death, and emotional polarity. The music blends heavy psychedelic riffs with kosmische textures, echoing the band’s 2015 breakthrough Lore while pushing into electronic‑tinged passages that reflect DiSalvo’s recent side projects. This conceptual depth gives the album a narrative hook that resonates with listeners seeking more than conventional stoner rock, positioning Elder as a forward‑thinking act in the evolving rock landscape.

Production on Through Zero is a textbook case of DIY sophistication. DiSalvo pre‑produced each song in a modest home studio, refining arrangements before the group reconvened in Berlin for live tracking. The decision to co‑mix the record allowed the band to retain sonic intent, avoiding the dilution often caused by external engineers. Berlin’s vibrant electronic scene seeped into the mix, adding subtle synth layers and precise drum tones that broaden the album’s palette without abandoning its heavy core. This hybrid workflow illustrates how modern bands can leverage remote collaboration while preserving artistic control.

Touring plans underscore the album’s commercial potential. A European festival circuit, including dates with Blood Incantation, will introduce the new material to a diverse audience, while a fall U.S. tour aims to capitalize on the momentum. By shedding the limiting "stoner rock" label and aligning with progressive metal peers like Tool and Mastodon, Elder taps into a broader market hungry for genre‑defying acts. The combination of a concept‑driven release, self‑managed production, and strategic touring positions Through Zero as a catalyst for the band’s next growth phase.