ILIUM – My Misanthropia (2015)

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Australian ILIUM are not the biggest name in the business but they have established quite a good reputation for themselves in the metal community since their formation in 1998 and through their entire discography.
I liked their previous album appeared four years ago with Mike DiMeo (Masterplan) at the mic, and now Ilium returns with their 6th offer “My Misanthropia” featuring a new vocalist, the excellent American Lance King (ex-Balance of Power, ex-Empire).
This is more than a small change as King is an exceptional singer with natural melodic expression and fine range.

Indeed, “My Misanthropia” marks a radical change in Ilium’s musical approach; now their blend of melodic heavy and power metal with a strong emphasis on the guitar presence is ‘clean’ and pristine like never before. It’s that kind of clinical, precise recording where every instrument come bright and audible.
Not only is the production level a huge step up, but they’ve matured immensely as musicians and of course the addition of Lance King’s melodic pipes (he is truly great) allow more variety in their sound.

Each track on “My Misanthropia” is highly performed with true heavy sensation and pluralism, including all factors that guarantee maximum listening pleasure.
The album includes tracks could be described as metal anthems, like the dark and melancholic “The Hatchling”, or “Orbiting A Sun Of Sadness” with its Scorpions-ish attitude.
“Yuletide Ebbs” is another exceptional full-throttle metal roar with some superbly inventive guitar work and the outstanding vocal prowess. The melodic solos on each song are a treat as well.

Thanks to the vocal style of Lance King – if you are new to him, think James La Brie with more power – and the busy instrumentation on tracks like the fast paced “Penny Black”, the sublime “Godless Theocracies” and the vicious “Zenith To Zero” are quite similar to early Queensryche.
However the title track show a different-sounding delivery from Lance, more aggressive and less dramatic than his usual tradition, still happily ever present in songs like “Lingua Franca”.

Killer riffing, blazing lead guitar solos, rock solid rhythms and beds of orchestral keyboards adorn many of these songs, with the closer “The Cryptozoologist” being one of the more adventurous of the lot, an action packed tune with plenty of guitar & keyboard exchanges, sounding like a head-on collision between Dream Theater and Dio.
All of the tracks contain memorable melodies to go along with their musical might, so it’s a great combination from start to finish that ultimately results in a very enjoyable album.

“My Misanthropia” is a charming, integrated metal album combining strength with melody, which thanks to fine songwriting, skillful guitar work and Lance King’s superb melodic vocals puts Ilium back into strong and entertaining melodic metal territory.
King sounds darn good as ever, notably because he has a natural knack at following the melody and rhythm of any song here.
The production is another advantage to the album. The clearness and snap of the instruments is essential to making the album as powerful as it can feel.
“My Misanthropia” is one of those albums that will appeal to people of all metal tastes. Anyone who’s a fan of traditional riffs and classy, powerful yet clean vocals need to check this ‘new’ Ilium.
Very Recommended.

01 – My Misanthropia
02 – Quetzalcoatl
03 – Penny Black
04 – Linqua Franca
05 – Godless Theocracies
06 – The Hatchling
07 – Orbiting a Sun of Sadness
08 – Zenith to Zero
09 – Yuletide Ebbs
10 – The Cryptozoologist

Lance King – Lead Vocals
Jason Hodges – Guitars
Adam Smith – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums

BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/My-Misanthropia-Ilium/dp/B00UHB5G24
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