Eldersea’s Decayer EP: A Final Chapter and a New Beginning

Eldersea, the Massachusetts-born solo project of Francis “Frankie” Ciccarelli, has released its latest offering—Decayer, a three-song EP that marks both an ending and a fresh start for the artist. Released on 20th September 2024, Decayer represents the culmination of Ciccarelli’s early creative output, closing the first chapter of Eldersea and making way for the project’s live performances and forthcoming evolution.

Ciccarelli first conceived Eldersea as a solo endeavour in Massachusetts, drawing on his own musical vision to craft the project’s unique sound. After relocating to the Chicago area, Ciccarelli began releasing singles in 2022, handling all aspects of production himself. Over the next few years, he introduced audiences to the raw intensity of Eldersea with three original singles—Stateside, Heart’s Reach, and Ribcage—as well as an evocative cover. This period of solitary creativity helped Ciccarelli establish the sonic foundation for what Eldersea would become, but it wasn’t long before he sought to expand the project into a full band experience for live shows.

To bring Eldersea to life on stage, Ciccarelli enlisted Charles “Bacon” Bacani on drums and Dave Ratzek on bass and backup vocals, rounding out a lineup capable of translating the project’s studio energy into a dynamic live experience. The trio now looks ahead to performing live while embracing the next creative phase for Eldersea.

The Decayer EP is particularly significant because it encapsulates the final pieces of what was originally intended to be Eldersea’s debut full-length release. Alongside the previously released singles, the three tracks on Decayer represent the last remnants of the first batch of songs written for the project. They embody the spirit of Ciccarelli’s initial vision, blending post-metal atmospheres with darkly melodic undertones, and they serve as a bridge between what Eldersea was and what it will become.

In many ways, Decayer feels like a final farewell to the earliest days of Eldersea—a time when Ciccarelli operated entirely alone in crafting his sound. The EP’s themes, production style, and sonic textures all harken back to the original foundation of the project, but with an added sense of closure. The title itself suggests a process of transformation: a symbolic decay of the past, clearing the way for new growth and experimentation.

With Decayer, Ciccarelli has set the stage for Eldersea’s future. As the band prepares for live performances and the next creative cycle, fans can anticipate an evolution in sound and style. Eldersea’s journey, once a solitary one, is now taking shape as a collaborative endeavour with its live roster, promising new horizons in the months and years to come.

For those following Eldersea from the beginning, Decayer is both a nostalgic nod to the project’s origins and a tantalising preview of what lies ahead. The EP is not just an ending, but a sign of transformation—a final step before Eldersea’s next era begins.