damfino said
Another video for this same song links to an artist's soundcloud for someone called "Zero"

From google searches, Elysium is the name of a song from the movie Gladiator, also known as "Now We are Free" but I'm not sure this is a version of that song? My brain isn't quite awake enough to try and compare, lol. But this is the version of the Gladiator song I'm familiar with ... 

No, I'm pretty sure that is not it.  Nice though.  Same heroic voice to it.

gwscheer said
artist zero official page says he was inspired by Lindsey Stirlings style, but that this is improvised to his background track  

The violinist has an official page?  Where?  Why not post a link?  That would answer my question and the artist would no longer be a mystery here.

gwscheer said
There are two videos on you tube of this; the other uses v=rbHYnOuLF0k   The artist uses the Name "Zero Official" on you tube.   Linked from the youtube comments is his facebook

https://www.facebook.com/zero.musicproductions/      '
But neither the comments (MORE) on youtube, nor these pages 
have a clue to identity of the artist beyond "Zero" OR "Zero Official"

  

Yes, I think Zero is just a production outfit.  I don't see any evidence that violin plays a regular role in any of Zero's other work.

Considering what kind of production seems to be involved, I would include the possibility that a real violin was not involved at all and instead it was synthesized and played from the keyboard or programmed.

Still sounds great.

bluesviolin said
check out the little riff at 0:53. it sounds very synthesized. and that riff is repeated later on with unnatural precision.

but I also agree that the piece really rocks. I like it. The "Violin" is good (whatever it is) but not spectacular by any means. It's the arrangement with the heavy metal guitar that really kicks it, imo. Maybe that is also manufactured!?   

I really like the violin, it opens the whole piece and sets the stage for the guitar.  I'd like to hear more of the violin, but if it is synthesized, it could be the guitar helps to cover up clues that would spoil the authenticity of the sound.

I recall as long ago as the late seventies keyboards were doing incredible things with synthesized voices and brass.  It really was hard to distinguish from the real thing.  There was even a little adjustable variation and noise between voices to lend authenticity.  And that was dedicated hardware, no programs on a CPU.  Remember the artists of Kraftwerk?  Real synth geeks.