Symphonic metallers ELVELLON released their latest album Ascending in Synergy in May and it’s receiving praise from fans and critics alike. Rock Out Stand Out’s Lotty Whittingham caught up with guitarist Gilbert Gelsdorf and keyboardist Pascal Pannen about the album, the symphonic metal genre, wellbeing, and which Lord Of The Rings characters they would love to see in a band together.
Hello, thanks for joining us today. I would first like to know: is there a meaning behind the name, or is it a random name?
Pascal: There is an actual meaning behind it. It comes from the J.R.R. Tolkien universe; it’s in the Elvish language and roughly translates to ‘Elven Friend’.
I did wonder if there were Tolkien influences behind that.
Pascal: Actually, in the scene where they sit in front of the closed gate of Moria, there is this word ‘mellon’ which means ‘friend’, so that’s where Elvellon came from.
So for those who haven’t heard Elvellon before, how would you describe your sound?
Gilbert: Let’s not beat around the bush: it’s classic symphonic metal like it’s been done in the late ’90s and early 2000s. It’s a term we have used a lot of times. If you’re fan of bands like Within Temptation, Nightwish, and Epica, you’ll definitely recognise these influences within our music. This type of music is very dear to our hearts and we love making it. It’s also great that there are people who like that music from that era.
Symphonic metal was the first metal genre I got into and still love it now. Critics of the genre have said before that there is only so much you can do with it, and it’s hard to keep a sound fresh. What are your thoughts on that?
Pascal: For me, for example, metalcore all sounds the same. Every taste is different and you can’t make it right for everybody.
Gilbert: Of course we try to keep up with listening to sounds today, production-wise. We don’t want to mimic the exact sound, so we try to keep it as modern as possible while trying to capture the feeling of that sound.
I definitely noticed that in your latest album Ascending Into Synergy, which is a great album. Are there key differences between Ascending Into Synergy and your previous album, Until Dawn?
Pascal: I would say a key difference is the time. Most of the songs for Until Dawn were written way back in the beginning of Elvellon, so we had a lot more time to work out what we wanted to do, and to find our core sound which we have today. So there were about ten years of progress in the songs; by then we knew how to play them and improve them. We then started to record an album.
For Ascending In Synergy, there was much less time between starting it, thinking about it, and doing it. We knew what we wanted to do from the beginning, because there was an album before. We didn’t need to find a sound this time as we had it already.
Gilbert: I think we expanded our range. The two components of symphonic metal are the orchestral elements and the metal stuff; we expanded on both ends and worked together with a guy from France who arranges orchestras. He really helped us out a lot, and the orchestral arrangements are a lot better and much more versatile and interesting than on Until Dawn, where we did everything ourselves.
On the other hand, I think the heavy parts of Elvellon got a bit heavier. Our guitars got tuned down, and there were more heavy riffs and heavy drumming on this album as well. Also, the dreamlike atmosphere of our sound evolved. We now have a song that’s around 10 minutes, which has a lot of atmospheric sounds and a narrator. It’s one you can really immerse yourself into.
In between Until Dawn and Ascending In Synergy, we had COVID. Was 2024 the intended release year for Ascending In Synergy? I ask as lots of bands had to postpone their album releases due to COVID.
Pascal: It came to be that during the pandemic, we met and got into an agreement with Napalm Records. So we chose to sign a contract and then we decided – or rather we had – to do a new album, as that’s what the contract said, and we wanted to release under the label.
Of course, every band would like to produce an album within a year; but it’s not really possible any more for these times – whether it’s money-wise or time-wise – you name it. Of course, we would have liked to have done it earlier, but this was also the right time. Not as much stress. I mean, of course there was still stress – but it could have been more devastating, so I think it was the right time.
Gilbert: Definitely. COVID took some time and gave us time on both sides. We didn’t see each other for about half a year, and we did a lot of video calls like we do now. At least we could use those to talk about what we wanted to do. However, with an album, we did need to sit in a room together so we could write the songs. It’s not a project where one or two people write the songs; they have input from all of us, and even more so on that album.
It was hard for us, but as soon as we could get together and restrictions started to be lifted, we started to work again. It gave us time, as there wasn’t much else we could do, so we spent a lot of time songwriting; but it definitely had a big impact on the album and also on the lyrics. We left a mark on that album during the pandemic.
Were there any particular songs on the album that were influenced by the pandemic?
Gilbert: It’s not a particular song, but it’s the way we got through the album and the themes that got influenced by that. Like Nele [Messerschmidt], our singer, said that when there is a lockdown and you are all by yourself, you start thinking about your life and what you have achieved so far. You have that time to think. From that, a lot of topics came up, and that view on the outside and inside was the topic of the album. Even the title is that: it’s about getting a connection to your inner self.
The picture on the cover of the two people in the bulb is the inner and outer self. When you get a connection with yourself again, it lifts you up and gives you a higher state of living. That is the ascending into synergy. It came from the pandemic and from a fresh way of thinking about how you look at yourself.
Especially when a lot of the time, people show us what they want us to see. It’s often very different to what’s going on internally.
Gilbert: Definitely, and I think that came out a lot from people during the pandemic, when you had the time to think by yourself.
At Rock Out Stand Out, we promote the message of looking after your mental wellbeing and letting people know when you are struggling. What lessons have you learnt about looking after your wellbeing?
Pascal: I would say don’t think too much about what other people think. That was a big issue for me; that’s not specific to the pandemic but it affects our life in general. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of you. Maybe the closest people you call family, you will care, but they love you for who you are inside and outside. You have that safe space where you can flourish. All the other strangers out there, who might make a funny gaze on your appearance; it doesn’t matter, let them think what they want to think. Just leave it behind. I struggled with that a lot, and once I put a cut on that, I improved.
It’s so easy to fall into that trap of caring what others think of you, especially on social media. That’s a great tip to share.
Gilbert: I would say if you’re struggling with something and don’t really know what to do, try to imagine that someone else is telling your story. We all have this little critique in our heads, and we are way harsher to ourselves than we are to anyone else. Try to imagine someone else is telling your story, and think what you would say to that person; then compare that to the advice you give yourself, as they are often two worlds apart.
That’s a great tip as well. Is there anything you like to do to relax and unwind?
Pascal: You mean when we have real free time?
Yes, exactly. I understand when working in any capacity with music, free time doesn’t seem to exist.
Pascal: Yes, the stuff we do in our “free” time is basically work. That’s why I am asking! [laughs] For free free time, it depends on my mood. If I am feeling more introverted, I really like playing video games, and watching Netflix and funny YouTube videos. It helps me turn off my brain, and I also like chatting with friends on Discord.
On the extroverted side, I really like to get out with friends. We try to have some gatherings and have a good time. It doesn’t have to be anything in particular, as long as we’re together and having a great time.
Gilbert: It’s very simple but I love to lie on the couch and go on YouTube to watch videos of people repairing old radios, old games consoles, or things like that. I find that very relaxing.
Being Lord Of The Rings fans, which five characters from Lord Of The Rings can you see playing in a band together, and what instruments can you see them playing?
Gilbert: I definitely see Gimli on the drums or bass. No, drums, I would say the drums. Legolas is definitely the lead guitarist.
Pascal: I definitely think Thranduil on the keyboards. I don’t why, but I can see Samwise on the bass; he’s chill. What have we built? [laughs] Just need to think of a singer.
Gilbert: Pippin sings really well, so maybe he should sing.
Pascal: Yes, definitely.
That is a band I would pay to go and see.
Gilbert: It would have to be some [sort of] folk prog rock band. Definitely something weird! [laughs]
Do you have a message for Elvellon fans and our readers?
Gilbert: If you have read to this point, thank you very much for your interest in our band and music. We hope you enjoy our new album which is out now. We would love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to contact us and comment on our social media platforms; we look at the comments every few days. We would love to hear what you think of the album, what your favourite song is, and anything else that comes to mind.
Pascal: That sums it up pretty nicely. Thanks for listening, and maybe come to a concert if we have one, or a festival, and have a nice chat.
Find ELVELLON on Facebook and their latest album Ascending Into Synergy on Bandcamp.
