Oswestry, North Shropshire’s The Elijah have been building a strong following throughout their UK with their brand of atmospheric hardcore.
Their love shows are intense yet breath-taking and has led the quintet to share the stage with the likes of The Eyes of a Traitor, The Bled and Closure In Moscow.
Whilst their debut album, ‘I Loved I Hated I Destroyed I Created’ is a powerful, orchestrated records that sees The Elijah combining Post-Rock elements with abrasive hardcore riffs.
Vocalist Dan Tomley and guitarist/Orchestrator Sean Harrison recently spoke to Already Heard to take part in our “If I…” questionnaire where they told us who would play their fantasy festival, whilst Dan spoke about which US Christian metalcore band he’d like to play with and Sean gives an interested take on bands who have split up.
If I could re-record one song it would be…
Sean: ‘I’ve Let The Devil Win’ from ‘A Son:A Disease.’
Dan: ‘The Raven’ by Caspian.
If I could re-live one tour/show it would be…
Sean: Supporting Devil Sold His Soul at a sold out Camden underworld.
Dan: Doing the last 3 dates of The Bled’s last ever European tour.
If I had the chance to play one venue it would be…
Sean: If there is a venue anywhere which is also a cathedral. That would be the venue.
Dan: I’d want to be able to play in that venue which is a cathedral to. Failing that a huge white room so our projections could fill entire rooms.
If I could play with one band it would be…
Dan: This Will Destroy You, but we have already been able to play with them.
Sean: Underoath
If I could play with any person living or dead it would be…
Dan: Kurt Cobain
Sean: Olafur Arnalds.
If I could bring back any band that have split up, it would be…
Dan: Burn Down Rome. As far as im concerned there one of the few UK bands who wernt trying to sound like somebody else.
Sean: Any band that have split up, shouldn’t reform, its never as good second time around.
If I wasn’t playing music, I would be…
Dan: A failing Poet or Author. Probably both.
Sean: I’d use my A Levels and be a graphic designer.
If I could play a different genre it would be…
Dan: Some sort of down tempo hardcore verging on doom.
Sean: The most poppy mainstream rock.
If I could have written any song it would be…
Sean: Olafar Arnalds’ ‘Hægt, Kemur ljósið.’
Dan: La Dispute’s ‘King Park.’
If I could have written any album it would be…
Sean: Kings of Leon’s ‘Only By The Night’
Dan: This Will Destroy You’s Self-Titled album.
If I could headline any festival, it would be…
Dan: Reading and Leeds Festival.
Sean: Warped Tour.
If I could organise my own festival, the bands playing would be…
Sean & Dan: This Will Destroy You, Caspian, Underoath (playing ‘Define The Great Line,’) The Chariot, Explosions In The Sky. Olafar Arnalds.
Second stage. Title Fight, Touché Amoré, La Dispute, Last Witness, and Defeater.
If I could play any other instrument, it would be…
Sean: Cello
Dan: Piano
If I could give one piece of advice to a new band, it would be…
Sean: If you write a track and you think its good, delete it. If you write a track and it blows your mind, keep it.
Dan: Don’t try and be a band that already exists, if your going to terrible, at least be original and terrible.
‘I Loved I Hated I Destroyed I Created’ by The Elijah is available now on Small Town Records.
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Words by Sean Reid (@SeanReid86)
