Elias Devoldere is more than just one of the most ingenious drummers on the Belgian scene, in recent years has also shown himself as a songwriter, composer and singer. With the release of his solo debut album, we can also add producer to that list. We got to know Elias as a drummer with Nordmann, Robbing Millions, John Ghost, SUWI and Hypochristmutreefuzz, among others. Following an ep, Kaiku, released in 2021, Bloomed > Exploded is his debut full length as a solo artist.

‘Everything blooms’, he explains the title of his first album. ‘Until it explodes, and something else is able to grow from it’. In this case, what came full cycle is an intimate coming-of-age album of intangible atmospherics, crisp melodies, and understated rhythmical patterns.

Recording during a period of solitude in France, Elias initially relied heavily on synthesizers and drum machines. “Explode / Boalis was one of the first songs I wrote for this album, and pivotal for its atmosphere, based mostly on electronic elements. Later, I did use ‘real’ drums on most of the other songs, though, and contributions from other musicians, but the overall mood is very cohesive’.” ‘Pure’, that’s how Bruno Ellingham, the UK engineer who mixed the album, described it. Much to the delight
of Elias, who reached out to Ellingham because of his previous work with bands such as Massive Attack and Portishead.

“Hearing the end result, I thought he really captured the essence of the original demo’s. For me, that adds to this album being a sincere reflection of my true self. ‘Take a dive/ Into the place where it’s more quiet’, as I sing in the last song that kind of sums it up for me.”

Line-up
Cyriel Vandenabeele | guitar
Cesar De Sutter-Pinoy | guitar
Dries Geusens | bass & synths
Elias Devoldere | drums, guitar & vocals