Take a theraputic sound bath with the best album of the year so far.

Sound bathing is rooted in ancient cultural traditions going back thousands of years. Essentially it’s the practice of healing the body and mind through sound vibrations. This was backed by science in the 1960s when Swiss scientist Hans Jenny published groundbreaking research on cymatics—the study of how sound wave frequencies physically alter and manipulate matter, bridging ancient mysticism with modern Western science. Since the 1970s, there were formal sound baths, yoga studios and New Age retreats using Tibetan singing bowls and gongs to create an overwhelming, immersive acoustic field to release tension and anxiety, improve sleep quality and achieve a deep state of physical and mental relaxation. I found my equivalent when I first saw Elder at a tiny bar in Chicago in 2011. I stood a few feet from the stage, with earplugs, and let the heavy fuzz vibrate me head to toe. I could feel the music in my hair, toes, colon and probably my soul.

Nicholas DiSalvo insists Elder are the same band as back then, lineup adjustments aside. They continue to play heavy psych, but they’ve improved as players as well as producers, and are better able to achieve the sounds they hear in their minds. Some fans might still favor the more blown-out fuzzy heaviosity of Dead Roots Stirring (2011), and that’s understandable. All six of their previous albums have been favorites of mine at various times. So far the band has never failed to impress me by their growth and progress with each album, even as their quality remains so consistent, preference comes down to whatever flavor you’re craving at the time. Right now, Through Zero is completely satisfying my cravings.

It’s hardly shocking that synthesizers and ambient textures have been added to the mix. Most of the band have been living in Germany for most of Elder’s existence, and DiSalvo has taken deep dives into electronic Kosmische Musik in side projects like Weite, delving, and a space rock collaboration with Kadavar. Of course these elements would find their way into Elder’s music, resulting in dreamy, airy passages in “Sigil to Ruin,” shimmering synth textures on the title track, and cosmic ambient drift appearing everywhere, but still balanced out with heavy riffs, dualing guitars and explosive crescendos. The heavier passages are never jarring, as they are a natural progression within the compositions. It’s progressive, but no more so than the past couple albums. “Capture/Release” and the title track are the heaviest tracks that have roots in their past, while still sounding fresh. “Strata” feels like the album’s peak, with spare Zen Koan lyrics like “Staring down the bitter well / We see ourselves / Far beyond broken time / An empty cell.” “Sight Unseen” is the sole instrumental track, and is completely captivating throughout all 8:51, from gaseous isolationism (remember that tag?) and post-rock to chugging motorik rhythm to the noisy payoff. The album concludes with the lovely acoustic-anchored “Blighted Age,” enhanced by an echoing, dubby drum track for a gently liquidy hallucinogenic effect.

The band has taken the reigns more than ever in self-producing, as well as mixing, with assistance from Richard Behrens, and it’s their best-sounding album to my ears. While it’s a different feel from the sludgy fuzz of the earlier days, the effect is still, for me, highly effective therapeutic sound therapy. If it serves you as well, why not use the hundreds of dollars saved from therapy bills to buy some of their merch! I’ll be seeing them at Levitation fest in September along with Messa, Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats and REZN.

To my ears Elder have arrived at a sound so elegantly gorgeous and immersive, they’ve transcended genre. Yes, I’ve tagged them as psych prog, and there are plenty of acolytes inspired by them. They may not be a mega-selling band that would become their own juggernaut brand like Pink Floyd, but history will confirm there is only one Elder to rule them all, at least for this corner of their modest kingdom.

RIYL/FFO: King Buffalo, Weedpecker, Slift, Mythic Sunship