Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Illuminatus - Aborted Revolutions - 2005

Track Listing 01. Emotion Sickness 02. Wargasm 03. White Lies

Illuminatus is quite different from a lot of metal bands out there. Their blend of power and gothic atmospherics is a unique hybrid that satisfies those who want a dual listen of headbanging and hypnosis.

Illuminatus is light and shade throughout. Verses tend to be quietly picked underneath softer singing until the choruses take over with repetitive power chord leads and a vocal change-up that is more or less slightly guttural yelling. Before you're lulled into complacency, some rhythmic breakdowns extend out the songs and satisfy the urge for a quicker pace and some traditional neck-snapping.

The overall effect is a very melancholic soundscape tempered by calls for action.

After their critically acclaimed demo Suburban Symmetry, first released in 2002, the band have gone on to play with an array of acts such as Skindred, Paradise Lost, Twin Zero and Children of Bodom. Their follow-up EP Aborted Revolutions, recorded with Harvey Birrell (Therapy?, Ministry) received rave reviews from Powerplay magazine and Metal Hammer journalist Malcolm Dome and has now sold nearly 500 copies despite being entirely self-financed and released by the band. The power of their live act alone has earned Illuminatus a slot on the main stage of the Bloodstock 2004 heavy metal festival, playing to an audience of 2000 in a conquering performance. Since then, the band's zero-budget video for Wargasm has been taken onto heavy rotation on Scuzz TV during the first quarter of 2005 and they have recently re-recorded parts of the Suburban Symmetry demo with legendary Sabbath producer Pete Coleman.


www.illuminatus.uk.com/


Score: 8 of 10


--Nailer 10.27.05