Reviews
Ella - On The Verge of Losing Everything
by Rich on 20050819
About a year ago Ella were really flying. They had released their first demo/EP and had found critical acclaim from sources like Rock Sound, Big Cheese and most notably Mary Ann Hobbs of the Radio 1 rock show who played the band on her show. Then, as the band entered the studio to record their first proper EP in Autumn 2004 with producer Mark Williams (Sikth, Yourcodenameis: Milo, Fightstar) things looked to be going great. Finally after a year filled with illness, hard work, blood sweat and tears Ella have finally returned with “On The Verge Of Losing Everything” From the outset of the first track “For The Shape” it’s obvious that Ella mean business. Frantic riffs, explosive drums and truly blistering vocals all leading into a fabulous sing along chorus. This is probably the first time that you realise the great lyrics that are so far from the norm. Lines like “Better to know than, Just learn to crow, Curve for her” from the opening track or “Unsaid and outspoken, I’ll blow you to the roads” which is taken from the opening of second track “You Found A Mile” have a sweet poetic charm that seem to add a mystery and intrigue to Ella that I haven’t found with too many other Contemporary metal bands. Also singer Ben Devereaux has a great range, from guttural scream to soaring melody that can pull off what he is trying and really keeps things interesting. Musically this EP really holds up as well. The drumming throughout the entire 5 tracks is powerful and technically awesome. The recording is great, a raw quality with a powerful finish really gives the EP that something that the demo didn’t have which is a strong sense of sonic clarity. Having Mark Williams sat at the mixing desk and Eric Broymill (Will Haven) on mastering duties this is exactly what you would expect. The guitar work on this album is the thing that impresses me the most. Both the guitarists, Ni Groom and Mike Bond, display equal amounts of technically excellent technique and song writing. They both show this off without having to play using endless time changes or 300mph guitar wankery. Just solid and at times spectacular metal guitar work, shown best in moments like at the beginning closing track “Ghost In The Machine”, which also features Adam Frakes- Singer of Stamping Ground on additional vocals, or the dual finger tapping in “For The Shape”. There are some things about the EP that I would have like to have seen a little differently. The way the instrumental track “The Eyes Of The World Are Upon You” has a more atmospheric feel than the rest of the album and maybe transferring some of that feeling into the quieter moments of the other songs a little more would not only be pleasing but would possibly give the band another edge of the rest of the pack. Overall this EP is a huge step forwards for a band that already had a lot going for them. As I have said there are a few ways that I could see the band improving on this effort but “On The Verge Of Losing Everything” is an accomplished EP that I’m sure will see the band, given the right management and the right breaks, rise further than their demo did a year ago. 4/5 1. For The Shape2. You Found A Mile
3. Magnolia
4. The Eyes Of The World Are Upon You
5. Ghost In The Machine www.ellaonline.com
Rating out of five: 4