What is the worst nightmare you ever had? The following can be a question. Or is it the affirmative rhyme? An incubus crouched on your chest. A darkened horse. A sweating canvas portraying disharmony within perfect silence. A war raging inside a dream.
ILLUSORY’s fifth video is being unwrapped around “A Poem I Couldn’t Rhyme”. Taken off the band’s third album, “Crimson Wreath”, released on May 21 via Rockshots Records, this is a reminder of a motif painted with the brightest colors, yet surrounded by a halo of Erebus.
“Taking a look inside me, I only see a glimpse of my youth Seeking a place to hide me, I need to stay away from the truth”
Heaving riffing, mid tempo endoskeleton, speed variations and climaxes, intriguing orchestration. Much like Henry Fuseli’s painting “The Nightmare”, this storyboard is all about the subject that’s waking up whilst the bad dream has just begun. ILLUSORY’s illusions are taking over.
Pyrisous, Aeacides, Aemonius, Aspetos, Larissaeus, Ligyron, Nereius, Pelides, Phthius, Podarkes… Some of the names of the greatest warrior of all time. The myth amongst the living and the departed. Achilles, the main character of Iliad, the glorious king, the fearless leader, the ideal soldier… On the other hand, the allegory… He who wanders in grief, Homer’s epic poem in the hands of the righteous, catapulted in a dystopian reality, becoming a cultural heritage for the future.
ILLUSORY presents “Ashes To Dust”, a heroic rhapsody, taken off their third album, “Crimson Wreath”. Illustrious actor/director Grigoris Valtinos is the leading man in a story which exemplifies the essence of a fable across a path walked by the bravest and honored by the scholars of the world. This short film is about an epic manifesto, a darkening day to come and everlasting hope.
Brand new ILLUSORY video clip premiers on TV WAR @ Mad TV
“Ashes To Dust” video clip is ready to spin next Sunday, June 20, on the longest running music show on Greek television. TV WAR, Greek Metal Hammer’s own, the Metal media locomotive, will host the world premiere of a grand production, featuring world renowned actor/director Grigoris Valtinos.
Sunday, June 20, at midnight on Mad TV. Don’t miss it!
ILLUSORY’s third album, “Crimson Wreath”, is out today via Rockshots Records. The Heavy Metal band from Athens is proud to release a record consisting of 78 minutes of music, which has already been gaining massive acclaim by the Press and fans, locally and abroad.
“Crimson Wreath” is considered as ILLUSORY’s most mature and complete work, comprising of fourteen songs, showcasing the Ivories’ songwriting and arranging dexterities as well as advanced performing skills.
Heavy duty production, mixing and mastering, once again in and by Matrix Recording Studio, Athens, proved that this unique sound can be achieved when the band teams up with producer extraordinaire and practically the seventh member of ILLUSORY, Yiannis Petroyiannis.
With three singles/videos released up to date and a fourth one on its way, ILLUSORY’s brand new album is the very definition of hard work in pure music terms.
“Adding choirs, classical and acoustic guitars and piano sections can only show that it is a matter of well-coordinated experienced musicians who put quality first. I can say for sure is my favorite and candidate for the album of the year, even though we haven’t even gotten close to half of it yet”. Ivona Bogner, Abaddon – Serbia
“Give ILLUSORY a listen, because this is actually one of the best this reviewer has heard in a long time”. Gert Beuse, Calles Rock Corner – Denmark
“This album probably deserves performing in its entirety live at some point and the more I listen the more I like. Deep, melodic and brilliantly written, this is top notch stuff”. Simon Black, Ever Metal – UK
“Despite a run time of over 75 minutes, not once does the album drag. Rather, you can’t believe it when the album is over because you want to keep listening. I strongly feel that not only is “Crimson Wreath” one of the singular best albums you could hope to come across this year, but it will come to be seen as ILLUSORY’s magnum opus release”! Jay Roberts, Knac – USA
“ILLUSORY has produced a very enjoyable album. Its melodic qualities are perceived without any difficulty. The production was at the height of the compositions, without any instrument being relegated or buried. Hopefully the conditions allow the band to go on stage very soon, as it will definitely be interesting to listen to the songs on this album live”. Cristóbal Torres, Metal Rules – Canada
“In general words, I would say that “Crimson Wealth” is a long, but rewarding album, which will gratify every heavy/power metal fan. It’s the most mature work of ILLUSORY, who are getting a pure power metal musical direction. Sometimes epic, sometimes proggy, ILLUSORY find their target, offering us a great power metal offering”. Dimitris Zacharopoulos, Myth Of Rock – Greece
“Crimson Wreath will hopefully open up ILLUSORY to a bigger audience because they really deserve to be heard by fans of heavy power metal”. Matt Bladen, Musipedia Of Metal – UK
“This incredible band have created sounds and lyrics and placed it together in such a way that there is no true and real way that my words in this review could ever do “Crimson Wreath” justice for its true original take on melodic and heavy and true metal. I can only hope everyone in the world gets a chance to experience this individual intertwined essence from within”. Zoe Stone, Rock Out Stand Out – UK
“Give the album its due time and you won’t regret it. You will always come back to it, to constantly find new things. Listen to it in its entirety and let yourselves go to all the thing the record has to offer you. Until the time comes for us to enjoy the album live on stage, I’m pressing the play button once again. I suggest you do the same”. Jovanna Spiliou, Noizy – Greece
“Throughout, this masterpiece still sports the very same dynamic of the day, with a rich flow of lyricism taking us on a journey of fantasy, myth, mystery and far off lands steeped in history, transporting us all into the realms of thought as the band speed down the track like a runaway train”. Ian Davies, Stargazer – UK
“This awesome album has so many touches of feelings that takes you back to familiar chords and makes you feel it once again with another way”. Costas Margaman, Album Reviewz – Greece
“As previously stated, “Crimson Wreath” is an album that you listen to with pleasure and of which you cannot fail to appreciate the quality of writing and attention to detail; if you grew up on bread and heavy metal, this record will surely give you joy”. Alessia Artesani, Metallus – Italy
ILLUSORY’s third album, “Crimson Wreath”, features the band’s musical and lyrical excursions and vast melodic essays as well as the contribution of a number of amazing musicians, joining forces with the band and participating in certain key notes which became a highlight throughout the making of the record.
Naturally these artists should be mentioned, and they are, one by one.
Choir on “The Isle Of Shadows” and “Fortress Of Sadness”: Anastasia Papadopoulou (Upon Revival), Gregory Koilakos (Fortis Ventus), Nancy Moschopoulou (Fortis Ventus) and Ophelia Baudelaire
Soprano Parts on “Fortress Of Sadness” by Nancy Moschopoulou (Fortis Ventus)
Additional Vocals on “Fortress Of Sadness” by Ophelia Baudelaire
Lullaby Intro on “Agony’s Last” by Mary Tirou
Classical Guitars on “Acedia” and Acoustic Guitars on “The Isle Of Shadows” by Dimitris Fakos
Piano on “All Shall Fade”, “Fortress Of Sadness” and “Past Forever Last” by Alexandros Roumeliotis
Narration on “Ashes To Dust” by Grigoris Valtinos
Narration on “Acedia” by Paul Logue
Gang Voices by the Ivories & Gregory Koilakos (Fortis Ventus)
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [Nobel Prize acceptance speech, 1964]
Third single/official video release off the third album “Crimson Wreath”. Song “All Blood Red” debuts today as a lyric video, showcasing another side of the multi-layered album, musically and lyrically. Focusing on the global nightmare of racism, “All Blood Red” can be a cry-freedom statement and valuable food for thought. “When all is lost, all blood is red” is to be considered alongside the phrase “There is NO such thing as race. There is JUST a human race”, to quote nobelist Toni Morrison. Listen, enjoy, THINK and Shine On!
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [Nobel Prize acceptance speech, 1964]
The trailer for the 3rd video entitled “All Blood Red” is already up and you can view it here:
In addition, there is a link in order to pre-save the track to your Spotify list and get to listen to it as soon as it airs. Feel free to click here: https://backl.ink/144420809
ILLUSORY: Collaboration with famous actor/director, Mr. Grigoris Valtinos
Third ILLUSORY album, “Crimson Wreath“, features a few exceptional musicians as guests. This record also features a huge artist, one of the biggest Greek actors and directors as well as a globally known star. Mr. Grigoris Valtinos, a cultural pillar of this country, the very leasing role man who appeared in Colosseum first, in the very first play celebrating the monuments opening after fifteen centuries of silence, is also the leading role man who accepted in collaborating with the Greek Heavy Metal band, sharing his voice and general presence.
What makes a narration special and emblematic, apart from the text itself, is the narrator. The voice, the method, the acting, the approach, the whole attitude. Having a piece in ancient Greek and further back to be exact, such the one you are about to hear, automatically requires for someone who is a total professional as well as a scholar regarding the language and the way of transcription. Mr. Grigoris Valtinos, one of the most spectacular actors and directors ever, a globally known star and true culture pillar in Greece, is the one narrating this particular piece.
The Ivories are thrilled and genuinely excited about these paths crossed and in the very near future, the outcome of that collaboration will be given the spotlight!
Here you can view the indicative video/teaser of this partnership:
The title track of ILLUSORY’s new album, “Crimson Wreath” is their newest video. A visualizer capturing the essence of the song. Anti-war, a cry against all those who made war a necessary evil for humankind, our own lives.
ILLUSORY are proud to release their sophomore video off their third album. Join in, listen and Shine On!
