siLLy puPPy
One of those contenders for longest running indie power metal bands, Australia’s ILIUM has been in existence since 1998 and has thus far released eight fully lengthened albums plus another four EPs, the latest being this 2022 fast burner QUANTUM EVOLUTION EVENT. Still the baby of founder, guitarist and songwriter Jason Hodges along with bassist / keyboardist Adam Smith, the duo are joined by former member Lord Tim (vocalist) and guest drummer Tim Yatras who together unleash a fast and furious display of five power metal tracks that only add up to about 23 minutes of playing time.
Pretty much keeping in step with the previous “Cacinogeist” and following EP “Enviro-Metal,” ILIUM has retained its rough around the edges power metal style with speed metal guitar outbursts, melodic hooks and the usual power metal expectations such as the operatic clean lyrical deliveries which in this case tackles the usual power metal scenarios set in the world of science fiction, fantasy and epic battles of good and evil. Also included are nice symphonic touches although they tend to be drowned out by the wailing guitar riffing that has a grittier than usual distortion for the power metal universe.
More than 20 years into their independent releases, ILIUM is going strong and will surely please any power metal stalwart out there however this subsection of the metal universe seems to have stagnated in recent years and many of these newer releases sound a bit too similar for my liking. The subgenre just doesn’t seem to have the adaptive hybridization qualities that the more extreme black and death metal camps seem to however bands like ILIUM keep the melody hungry fans satisfied with an excellent if not mind-blowing collection of five new tracks that provide as a teaser for the next album down the pike.
As far as musical style is concerned ILIUM has developed its sound to avoid the cheesy affects of power metal. Lord Tim’s vocal style has some grit to it and not too airy fairy and Hodges keeps his guitarists set to filthy distortion mode but showcases his neoclassical shredding skills especially on the closing “Mothcaste.” This is no nonsense melodic power metal that is fast and furious and keeps the five tracks on a high octane frenzy for its entire run thus delivering an entire album’s worth of energetic release in a mere 23 minutes. Perhaps not the most original specimen around in these most experimental times in the 21st century but ILIUM is very consistent and its quality and delivery of their now established classic sound.