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.

adg211288 My Misanthropia (2015) is the sixth full-length album by Australian power metal act Ilium. It's been just about four years since Ilium's last album Genetic Memory (2011) was released and in that time the group has parted ways with their vocalist Mike DiMeo. DiMeo also performed on the album Ageless Decay (2009) and can currently be found fronting the bands Creation's End and Midas Fate. The new singer of Ilium is Lance King, a US vocalist who, if you're into your power and progressive metal styles, shouldn't need any introduction. He's been with acts such as Pyramaze, Avian and Balance of Power and released his first solo album, the excellent A Moment in Chiros, in 2011. Ilium have also joined King's label Nightmare Records for the release of My Misanthropia.

While I've been aware of Ilium since around the time of Genetic Memory's release, My Misanthropia marks my first time hearing the band. They play a brand of power metal interlaced with more laid back heavy metal orientated parts. I've seen Ilium's music described as being more in the US power metal vein before, but the music on My Misanthropia is a little bit too keyboard heavy for that. Although the keys rarely take a dominant role on the album, they are there and are pretty noticeable more often than not, sometimes even dipping a toe into symphonic territory, such as in second track Quetzalcoatl.

My Misanthropia is quite typical of modern European style power metal but all things considered it's a nice enough release from Ilium. While I think I've personally reached the point where I've simply heard too many power metal records to be really blown away by Ilium's take on the genre, this is a solid, well-played effort from the group with no bad tracks. Penny Black is a early highlight, along with the opening title track which features some slightly edgier vocals than I'm used to hearing from Lance King. These are also heard in The Cryptozoologist, which closes the album, and is another highlight of the record, showing off several different elements from the band's sound. I'd say it's the album's best though Penny Black is certainly hot on its heels due to its infectious power metal energy.

While My Misanthropia certainly isn't among the very best power metal records I've ever heard it has served me well as an introduction to Ilium and as usual I find myself impressed with Lance King as a singer. The band made a good choice for their style in him. Overall for the album I'm going to go with 3.5 stars.

Time Signature Lingua franca...

Genre: power metal

Following up on 2011's "Genetic Memory", the power metallers in Ilium are just about to release their next full-length with the title "My Misanthropia".

As with the predecessor, "My Misanthropia" is more in the vein of US power metal than cheesy Euro power metal, as the tracks, while melodic and larger than life, are aggressive and powerful. Several tracks have slightly thrashy elements without every being power-thrash, and aesthetics of traditional heavy metal are ubiquitous on the release. As power metal goes, this is the type of power metal that I prefer, because it puts the power back in the metal, and it also inject a slight dose of darkness into the whole picture. I would even say that this album has a slight edge over the preceding album.

The production is interesting as it is not super crisp but has a slight warm fuzz to it. The musicianship and songwriting is top notch, and this is an album that those who like US power metal should definitely check out.

Time Signature The metality gene...

Genre: heavy metal

Australian metallers Ilium are often described as a power metal band drawing a lot of inspiration from European power metal, and perhaps their previous releases are all out power metal, but this one, I think, has a foot solidly placed in the traditional metal camp. Granted, there are some elements from power metal throughout the album, such as double bass drums and the use of keyboards and so on.

However, when I listen to this album, I do not think Euro power metal - I think of classic metal acts like Iron Maiden and Running Wild and, whenever the album does remind me of power metal, then it is U.S. power metal like Iced Earth.

Anyway, "Genetic Memory" is definitely an enjoyable listen which emphasizes melody performed on the guitars, which means that there are twin guitar leads galore (and I am a sucker for twin leads) as well as single guitar lead melodies, and a lot of melodic solos - Iron Maiden definitely is a big influence on Ilium on this album, and - let's face it - if you draw on Iron Maiden you can't really go wrong. It should be mentioned that, while the Maiden influence on this album is big, Ilium does not come off as a Maiden rip-off and I think, with their use of keyboards, they have actually started to move in the direction of an original sound. The style of the guitar riffage in general is recognizable from the classic heavy metal of the 80s and early 90s just before grunge took over, but there are also some more uptempo power metal-esque rhythm figures to be heard now and then. Some of the tunes are even mildly progressively oriented with the occasional odd time signature and unexpected change in tempo, and I quite like this aspect to "Genetic Memory".

The vocals belong to the category of raw and slightly gravelly vocals which often tend to sound contrived, but the singing on "Genetic Memory" is happily free of the sense of sounding contrived, as there is a sense of feel and sincerity to it, and it also contributes a more original element to the Ilium sound, as many other bands who operate within the same musical territory tend to have Dickinson- or Halford-styled screamers.

When it comes to the production, the guitars do have a rather fuzzy sound which might detract from the listening experience (this is especially noticeable at the very first couple of guitar strokes), but after a spin or two you should get used to it. It is not as if the production is bad or unlistenable or anything - it is just a tad fuzzy and could perhaps have been more defined. At the end of the day, this is a minor issue.

If you like heavy metal with twin leads galore and overlaid guitar harmonies, you should definitely check out this fine heavy metal release by Australian metallers Ilium.

J-Man Ilium are one of the more accomplished acts on the Australian metal scene, and with Genetic Memory the band has officially released five full-length studio efforts. This melodic power metal outfit, despite their location, plays the exact style we would expect from many European acts - expect plenty of double bass pedal rhythms, commanding vocals, fast-paced riffs, and prominent keyboards. As such, Genetic Memory offers very little in the way of innovation; this is the same style of power metal that's been around for the last twenty years, and Ilium seldom deviates from that formula. If you like your melodic power metal to be well-played and professional, then Ilium may have created something worth your attention. Otherwise, Genetic Memory is a fairly generic effort that rarely offers anything new to the genre.

Despite my gripes with Ilium's rather "safe" approach to the melodic power metal genre, the music on Genetic Memory is still unquestionably the work of talented and skillful musicians. The compositions are always well-written, the songs are always executed professionally, and their are quite a few killer riffs here as well. The songs themselves aren't that outstanding, but that may be due to the fact that they're all pretty standard, run-of-the-mill power metal tracks. The thin production is also surprisingly weak - I really would've liked a cleaner, more polished sound in this instance.

It may seem like I have a lot of negative things to say about Genetic Memory, but the reality is that this is still a high-quality melodic power metal effort. The musicianship is strong, the songs are well-written, and the arrangements are obviously well put-together. I just think that it lacks the originality and memorability to grab the attention of most power metal fans. Established fans of Ilium will definitely want to give Genetic Memory a shot, but newcomers can probably skip this one. An average 3 stars are deserved for this average album.