Boasting a cover that Pink Floyd would not be embarrassed to use, Illuminatus get off to a good start before you’ve even heard the music. Fortunately the music inside, even on its sixth or seventh listen (which is where we’ve got so far), happens to be very good indeed and Illuminatus prove to be a hugely talented asset to the UK hard rock scene.
Delving deep into melodic hard rock, Illuminatus have a frenzied alternative edge to their music bgut with a metallic crunch which means that no matter how much the melody might stay with you, there’s always a visceral urge to bang your head while you’re at it. Take the opening title track, for example, with its huge, crunchy chords, frenzied climax and yet insanely hummable chorus. With elements of the Deftones, Tool, A perfect Circle and Filter, Illuminatus actually do well to defy categorisation so we shall leave it just by saying that they are good. Very, very good. Having got off to a running start with the trail blazing lead-off track we’re into the splenetic ‘Murdocracy’ which sees the guitars laying a rock solid foundation for singer Julio Taylor to unleash his impressive vocal range across. It’s as heavy as hell and yet the underlying melodic sensibility is so powerful that it never gets forgotten or left behind and you can only hope that a band so talented get the recognition they deserve and fast. There’s an epic feel to the music – to pinch a term I heard massively over-used in the 90s – a ‘widescreen’ feel as each song expands out from the original riff like the afterglow of a nuclear explosion before condensing back in to provide a suitably vicious conclusion. ‘Division’ opens with a single echoing note in the darkness, before a massive stair-stepping chord (a la Dream Theater) kicks things up a notch while the drums pound away in the background. A slow-burning verse later, complete with myriad melodic details and suddenly we’re into a hefty, screamed chorus coupled with the sort of addictive melody that is somewhere between those bubblegum pop songs of the eighties and heroin in its ability to stay right at the front of your mind even some days after you heard it.
‘Reconnect’ segues nicely form the previous track with a more melodic heavy riff that provides the chorus before introducing a restrained verse that maintains a gentle atmosphere while guitars chime and ring in the background in a manner reminiscent of Mogwai. ‘Cave in’ takes things in a more introspective direction with hints of latter-day Anathema’s rippling progressive tones in the verse although Illuminatus have imbued that band’s beautiful sounds with a singular heaviness that never once detracts from the beauty of the melody but which allows the adrenalin surge of the heavier end of the musical spectrum to shine through. Think a cross between the Devin Townsend project (especially ‘Ki’ and ‘addicted’) ‘alternative 4’ and you’re roughly in the awe-inspiring arena Illuminatus singlehandedly operate within. ‘Keep calm and carry on’ is a surging, direct attack on the senses that sees the band develop a vital groove with guitars and bass building up an unstoppable momentum and then rolling over the listener like a juggernaut although always with those subtle touches elevating it above the norm. ‘you’ll never know what this means’ takes a shuddering, syncopated drum beat and overlays it with throbbing bass runs (courtesy of the impressive Leo Giovazzini) before stripping all the layers away for the emotive verse. It’s a highlight of the album with a simply huge chorus destroying any opposition anyone could ever have to the band with its sincere, heartfelt passion and anger. It is that heartfelt passion that drives Illuminatus and having listened to this album for days now I can honestly say that not a single note rings false. From the intelligently constructed lyrics (helpfully printed in the inlay) to the remarkable depth to the music it is clear that Illuminatus are a truly gifted and thoroughly unique band who have taken some of the finest musical moments of the last decade to craft something that exists beyond pigeonholing in its own special place… and like all such albums it is one that you will return to again and again with pleasure because it speaks to the listener in a direct, personal and beautiful way.
‘Red’ is a perfect example, a cry from the heart, Julio’s never less than note-perfect vocals are backed up by a subtly progressive verse and a storming chorus that is nothing short of mind blowing. The band’s ability to move from subtle, clean moments to a full on raging metallic storm is nothing short of devastating and it is no surprise that they have landed tours with bands such as Ministry and My Ruin. As ‘red’ reaches its string-laden, mind-blowing climax the eye can’t help wandering to the album cover with its quote: “there is nothing left to fear, but regret” a poetic sentiment that sums the albums raging emotions and stunning music quite perfectly. ‘Gosling’ is a gentle and quite remarkable piece which defies rational description, suffice it to say that it is overwhelming. ‘Clarity’ is a none-more-gentle piece of progressive music that sits somewhere between Oceansize and Anathema and sounds like both and neither at the same time. It’s emotional, beautiful and played with exceptional skill and restraint, even evoking memories of Pink Floyd’s grandeur when the solo kicks in. Final track ‘wolves’ ends things on a high note with a bass-heavy, brutal riff intercut with a beautiful, slow-burning verse recalling Deftone’s ‘the passenger’ with its rich dynamic and musical versatility.
Illuminatus are a wonderful band rich in invention and skill. So few album reach to the heart and soul in the way that ‘Glasnost’ does, and the band have tapped a rich seam of creativity within themselves on this release. A 2011 release, it seems fair to say that this was our undiscovered diamond of last year and if there is any justice at all 2012 will see Illuminatus’ star rise high indeed. A quite remarkable, stunning body of work ‘Glasnost’ is up there with the very best that acts such as Anathema have to offer and if you are a fan of music then you need to experience this wonderful piece of work for yourself. Truly astounding.
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