We had to wait for three years for the new album by the Athenian band ILLUSORY and the band did their best to not let their fans down, duration-wise. The total duration of the album is over one hour ten minutes for 13 songs.
The band was productive, regarding the composing sessions of “Polysyllabic“, yet is duration in accordance with the final result? To reply with a prompt answer, we would say yes and no. The only certain thing is that the band has evolved a lot, comparing it with “The Ivory Tower” and this is about the composing level and each member separately. When it comes down to music, I don’t think you have expected something different than songs inspired by Accept and Saxon, although ILLUSORY take that issue a step further. Many time they mention bands like Savatage, Queensryche and Jag Panzer. Nevertheless, prog elements and “weird” rhythms and rhythm “breaks” are more than obvious. The truth is I was a bit puzzled when I listened to “Odd-Y-Sea“, which we viewed before the album was released, yet, after a few sessions, I can say it is very satisfying. From that point onwards I spotted an inequality; there are these very good moments, there are also songs, which could have been skipped, in my humble opinion. Like “Last Fallen Angel” or the opener “…A New Beginning“, songs which are not bad, however, no one can distinguish something amazing in melodies or riff-wise. The amazing thing happens in more Metal songs, the likes of “Insangel” or “Bleak“, where melodies and riffs stand out. However, where ILLUSORY win the bet is the set of compositions which bring Savatage into mind. Atmospheric moments are plenty – as well as melodic riffing – on “Polysyllabic Thoughts“, “Dreamshade” (which reminded me of “Streets”), on darkened “Solitary Nomad“, featuring oriental elements, on prog-gy “System’s Decay” and ten minutes long “Swan Song“, where one can listen to the complete sonic spectra of ILLUSORY.
What is most impressive is the really good technique of the band; the band is supporting their ideas and different styles which they introduce, composing-wise and tech-wise. A very special mention should be given to singer Dee Theodorou, whose unique voice color and melodies beautifully wrap the songs around, bringing to mind Tobias Sammet, Jon Oliva or… just Dee Theodorou. What more could be done in my opinion? Production could have been better, brining guitars in front more, as Dee Theodorou’s voice covers up everything sometimes, whilst other times it just leaves the songs empty. He could also follow a more commercial voice on songs like “Insangel” and “Odd-Y-Sea” and the songs durations; some of them seem a bit stretched out. Other than that, ILLUSORY show that they can evolve even more and release even better albums in the future. Surely “Polysyllabic” is not a bad album; it’s an album that classic metal fans (and other fans, too) will listen to and enjoy most of its moments. We expect more by this band in the future; for now on, we enjoy “Polysyllabic“.
Although it took a while, the new ILLUSORY album finally arrived and the time has come to give it a listen, to see if my original enthusiasm, during the Pre-Listening session, would be confirmed. First, let me just say that I have expressed an equally good review regarding their first album (The Ivory Tower) and I was anxiously waiting to see how their Metal music creativity would evolve. “Polysyllabic” is a “full” album; it’s duration is around 73 minutes. Naturally, when you want to play HEAVY METAL, with all those ingredients which will make it unique and you succeed in doing so, time flies. I’m gonna set a few questions first and then proceed.
1) Would you like to listen to some dynamic METAL RIFFS?
2) Would you like to listen to some magnificent twin guitars?
3) Would you like to listen to some atmospheric metal moments?
4) Do you want enchanting vocals that will give you the chills, that will make you wanna learn the lyrics by heart and sing along?
5) Would you buy an album which contains all the above, which will leave you with the best feelings, one that you would love to take a magical Metal trip when listening to it?
Without exaggerating, I believe that ILLUSORY made all real and if you honestly are into HEAVY METAL, you must get that album! I would also recommend that those of you not so fanatic about Metal, should get it as well. It’s a special album. It’s a Greek band that, in my humble opinion, makes the difference on the genre. HEAVY METAL needs inspiration and ILLUSORY have shed a great deal of it on “Polysyllabic“. Not only my initial enthusiasm did get confirmed, it made come to the conclusion that “Polysyllabic” is amongst the best three albums I’ve listened to within 2016; the other two albums belong to Greek bands as well. A choir, a cello, acoustic guitars, amazing guitar inspiration, fantastic and magical keyboards, bass and drums enhancing the band’s sound and fabulous vocals. Dee, along with Stratis Steele (Endomain) are the best the Greek Metal scene has to offer in vocalists; all these create an album that you will enjoy to its last music note. There is no need to write for each song separately, there is no need to make any further analysis, all of the songs possess that certain “must”. As the minutes go by, till reaching the end of the album, the next song is even more fantastic than the previous one. Once you listen to the last note, you will feel magical and simply press repeat. We’ve got Greek bands with many active years and considerable discography, however ILLUSORY get the pole position with this album. Production is top notch; everything is in place in order to achieve this amazing sonic result. I have nothing to add here. I will just sit back and enjoy listening to “Polysyllabic” and I hope you indulge and listen to this fantastic work and enjoy MUSIC. Have a great listening!!!
Dear All,
Following the release of our sophomore album, titled “Polysyllabic“, on November 11, 2016 via 7hard and its presentation at “The Crow Club“, we began scheduling our live shows. On March 11, 2017, we will be expecting you all at the very same place, “The Crow Club”, to present our songs, this time Live. It will be a night filled with “Polysyllabic“, whilst we will naturally honor our debut, “The Ivory Tower“. And yes, we will have some surprises for you as well. We can now share with you that the amazing choir Voice Box will be also there. Our guests for the night, the fantastic Greek band Galliard Syndrome, will be opening for us. Rest assure that you will be notified for every move we make, when everything is totally confirmed. We’ll see you on the second Saturday of March 2017.
Till then, Shine On!
ILLUSORY “Polysyllabic”
(7Hard/diaphragm)
Genre: Power Metal
With their debut album “The Ivory Tower“, three years ago, metallers ILLUSORY convinced the metal fans about Greek power. Being around for 21 years, it was something faster this time.
The quality of the material did not diminish. The Greeks are always deep in the (European) power metal of the late 80s/early 90s roots and sound so, it’s what many Blind Guardian fans would like to listen to today.
All songs go far beyond the “usual” playing time of a song. “Dreamshade” further risks and “Swan Song” match up the ten-minute mark (or exceeds these even). What finally makes “Polysyllabic” a good album, that makes it through the tension, is that ILLUSORY pull the entire album through.
It’s the work they’ve done, despite its rather long game time. It’s consistently fun and you look forward to the hymnal choruses. Dee Theodorou’s strong singing voice carries out the whole thing. He always leads the listener through the individual passages, swivel and pivot. The six gentlemen present an album, as a work, similar to their debut, completely innocent and fresh. Everything is smoothly ironed smooth to the last corner and a terms change is designed through.
Those into traditional Power Metal will get a first-class album here! (MAST)
Athenian metallers ILLUSORY are back, three years after their debut album “The Ivory Tower“, with their new record, “Polysyllabic“. ILLUSORY are moving inside the paths of pure Heavy Metal, close to bands like contemporary Accept, yet looking at bands from the other side of the Atlantic, American bands such as Queensryche, Sanctuary or Jag Panzer. Good guitar-istic ideas by George Papantonis and Greg Bakos, with beautiful solos and authenticity regarding their “riffology”, discreet although exceptional keyboards by George Konstantakelos and a really good rhythm duo by Niki Danos on bass and Costas Koulis on drums. Singer Dee Theodorou owns a fantastic voice, he reminded me of Edguy / Avantasia mastermind Tobias Sammet, with his nice voice color and accent. “Polysyllabic“’s material composing-wise is sufficient and I liked many of the album moments. Songs like “Insangel“, intro “In The Beginning…“, “Dreamshade“, the really good ones “Odd-Y-Sea” and “The Eyes Of Hades“, with the fabulous solos and their prog substance, the epic “Last Fallen Angel” and Accept-ic “One Sad Moment Of Existence” and “System’s Decay“.
The band members show they have really done their homework, however I think that ILLUSORY’s sophomore album has a problem regarding technical issues and mainly regarding its sound. Production sounds dim, compressed and although simple, I don’t consider it serves the composing demands. Everything is well-played, the band has many interested things to say via its Heavy Metal, however the material sounds studio-ish (I repeat, it’s a technical issue, thus a budget issue and nowadays in Greece it’s totally understandable). I’m sure that live-wise they sound much better and it’s the only thing I would note for the boys. Nothing more and nothing less than a worthy and interesting album, which has many things to give to an average metaller. There are no revolutionary elements, there are no thing which one hasn’t heard before, yet I’ve spend some quality time listening to ILLUSORY’s music. From then on-wards the band has to improve their sonic material presentation, as it is less, comparing it with other Greek albums, such as the albums of Endomain, Diviner or The Silent Rage. They have talent and it all there, the musicians in ILLUSORY possess many virtues and I wish they’d be back more powerful. The outcome is positive.
