Free Metals: Ellorsith - 1959

In the winter of 1959, nine skiers mysteriously died in the mountains of Russia in what has become known as the Dyatlov Pass incident. Theories abound as to what really happened in those mountains. Was it an avalanche? Paranormal activity? Who knows? Using this tragedy for inspiration, Scotland's Ellorsith mixes death metal with occasional hints of black metal on this five-track EP.

1959 begins with the aptly titled "Vvedénije," or "Introduction." It's solemn and foreboding, and it clearly works well given the circumstances. "Susurration" has the most black metal feel here, and "Marasmus" strikes a great balance between black metal and death metal.

As good as that third track is, 1959 gets even stronger as it continues with "Lichryre" and "Compelling Natural Force." The former is the climax and highlight of this story and EP, while the latter is its denouement, spending the final two of its nine minutes in a similar fashion as its introduction.

Since we don't know all the details of the incident that inspired this EP, I guess it's only fitting that we also know very little about Ellorsith. If you haven't heard 1959 yet, do so post-haste. It's available for streaming at the group's bandcamp page and can also be downloaded at the "Name Your Price" option here.