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.

Stephen Ilium isn't new news to the power metal scene. With 'Genetic Memory', they already have at least five albums to date since their first debut in the early 2000. Power metal, especially with the European sound, didn't evolve much in the past few years, and basically what you heard today isn't very much different back in the 80s, some of them probably implemented a darker riffs and progressive approach, abut Ilium decided to go the conservative path.

The typical Axel Rudi Pell-meets-Iron Maiden style with a hint of Stratovarius and a slight neoclassical feel is clearly shown on some songs like 'Littoria', 'Grey Stains The Rainbow', or 'Hostile Sky', but what shines the most here are four tracks : 'Kinaesthesia', 'The Immortality Gene' with a splendid and spectacular scream, embalmed with a fantastic riffs; 'Ghosts In Flesh', with pounding drums and nice solos; and 'Genetic Memory', illuminating intro, dynamic tempo, enough duration to experiment with instruments, and definitely the best track here.

On the other side, there are at least four passable tracks. 'Ephemeral' is too average, 'Fevered Tongue' is the worst of em all, 'Irrinja' is ridiculous at 11 minutes, the intro is too long and the whole song is pretty weak, and 'Neanderthal Within' is actually started off with some great riffs but then veer to a very low composition. Production is acceptable, and if only they put out some inventive and interesting songs, this might take off a level or two to the sky, but for now, 'Genetic Memory' should be valued enough at 70%.

The Block Of all the genres out there it seems, at least to me, that power metal can be the most inconsistent. Mainly this can be because it has so many genre clichés or that bands don’t feel the need to gain any new ground, and just are fine with sticking with the same old routine. That’s why sometimes it’s hard to really find power metal albums that are consistent, except for the proven bands like Symphony X. But Genetic Memory is the second power metal album I’ve gotten in a week that is very good, and doesn’t fall into too many clichés.

Ilium has been around since 1998 and has yet to really hit it big, so to say. But Genetic Memory has that chance. This Australian based power metal group definitely has a more European power metal sound than an American sound, which I tend to enjoy more since it’s much more grand and symphonic, mostly. The use of keyboards on this album by Adam Smith, who also plays bass and guitar, really adds to that image of grandness. Ilium really brings something good to the table that doesn’t fall into every cliché that there is. The only problem with this album is that it’s pretty long for power metal without progressive leanings, averaging out at just over an hour long.

Overall this is a very good release from this rather tenured power metal group. The vocals are great, the riffing is superb, and all in all this is one heck of an album. I’m glad that there is still power metal out there that can break the mold, and isn’t the same old thing that’s been done for the past 20 years.