SINGLE REVIEW | BÖHMEN – ELYSIUM By Keira Knox

Böhmen, the newest alternative rock band to leap out of the Manchester music scene, have dropped their most mature and influential track to date, ‘Elysium‘. After unveiling their 2024 UK tour schedule, which includes appearances in Salford, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, Stockport, and Liverpool, the Manchester foursome is now generating quite the amount of demand. With their enticing lyrics and heavy-hitting, classic-rock-inspired riffs, Böhmen possess the potential to be among the best new bands in the indie-rock scene.

The band’s line-up has been arguably perfected, with Archie Austin’s raspy vocals that hints at intensity throughout the material, Greg Davies’ hard-hitting guitar riffs, and the outstanding musicianship of Bradley Marsden and Amber Griffin in the rhythm section.

‘Elysium’ was inspired by a sense of collective suffering. If only for a little instant, ‘Elysium’ is like a brief version of purgatory—a delicate yet ideal state when a person is at peace with who they are and where they fit in the world. This inspired the band to compose a track that expresses every detail from the utmost high to the darkest low. Dynamics are crucial to the song’s structure that other instruments either fall in or join the acoustic, which forms the song’s core.

Archie Austin’s vocals rasp out as the song commences with a stunning acoustic melody that softly draws you into the lyrics. Vocals should properly portray that sense of vulnerability when writing lyrics with this depth of emotion, and Austin delivers just that. This is the band’s most compelling release to date; the lyrics are significantly more mature than anything we’ve heard from them previously. ‘Elysium’ encapsulates indie rock ‘n’ roll perfectly.

Archie Austin’s vocal range is wonderfully complemented by the instrumentals’ progressive increase in intensity. This song’s chorus is reminiscent of Biffy Clyro, with its rising and falling speed that accentuates the intense passion that permeates the whole track. Throughout it’s 5 minute duration, ‘Elysium’ demands your attention, with powerful vocals, meaningful lyrics and guitar riffs Jimi Hendrix would be proud of.

This only the start of something huge for Böhmen, if this is what some of their earliest releases sound like then the sky is truly the limit for the four piece! The band are set to embark on a headline tour this November, tickets are on sale now, you’re not going to want to miss this one!

Tickets available here – BÖHMEN – BÖHMEN Bohmen band