Illuminus - Until The End Album Review
Every now and then an album comes along that surprises with its’ fresh sound and bold song writing.
Illuminus’ debut album, Until The End, has been the first such surprise of 2012. The band, led by Aidan Dickens, combine elements not usually found together in rock music to craft an interesting sound that engages you from the get go.
Instead of focussing on pounding rhythms, show off guitar riffs and in your face vocals, Illuminus blend pianos, electronic elements and more. The resulting sound means that no one member of the band, or instrument, ever feels like they take centre stage so there’s no detracting from the overall sound.
Having seen the band described as heavy rock/metal I was expecting something different to what I got – sure there’s heavy moments, like on Berated, which starts off sounding a little like 90’s Irish rock outfit Therapy? before unleashing some doomy sounding riffs, then pulling it back to a more mellow sound. But overall the sound is quite mellow, with plenty of ballad-like moments; despite the doomy spin put on it there’s a positivity to the sound that’s refreshing to hear.
My only problem with the album was with the mix, which occasionally leaves some of the instruments sounding muddy, although that’s possibly due to the MP3 download, rather than the production. Other than that small issue, Until The End is a professional debut from a band that should win fans with their unique sound.
View Track Listing
About Illuminus
Illuminus’ sound is bold and aggressive, bursting with ambience, texture and dynamics. With lyrical themes that touch on darkness and depression, enlightenment and new beginnings, Illuminus take you on a journey through the full spectrum of human emotion. ‘We felt there weren’t enough heavy rock groups (in New Zealand), let alone with female vocals,’ Aidan says of the idea for the group. ‘There was definitely a gap on the New Zealand scene for us to try and fill.’
Right now the team is putting the finishing touches on the EP, to be released in March this year.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Illuminus
Releases
Other Reviews By Alistar3000
The Upbeats - Primitive Technique Album Review
21 Apr 2013 // by Alistar3000
Wellington drum and bass duo The Upbeats have forged a reputation over the past 9 years for their hard hitting, dance inducing tracks and they’ve kept to that winning formula on their latest release, Primitive Technique. It’s packed full of 14 huge tracks, ranging from the jaunty One Step, to the almost menacing opening track Beyond Reality, with a few mellower tracks thrown in for good measure.
Read More...
Tahuna Breaks - Live @ San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington - 13/04/2013
14 Apr 2013 // by Alistar3000
I’ve been listening to the new Tahuna Breaks album, Shadow Light, a bit lately and got to go see the release show for it at Wellington’s San Francisco Bathhouse on Saturday. I’d enjoyed the album, which is quite energetic, upbeat and fun, so I was expecting a pretty good show from the Auckland 7-piece.
Read More...
Tahuna Breaks - Shadow Light Album Review
07 Apr 2013 // by Alistar3000
Tahuna Breaks were one of those bands that I’d heard mentioned a lot but never got around to listening to, until I got sent a copy of their third album Shadow Light. After listening to it I don’t know why these guys aren’t better known here, or why I hadn’t listened to them earlier.
Read More...
Beastwars - Blood Becomes Fire Album Review
07 Apr 2013 // by Alistar3000
Beastwars’ debut album in 2011 was an impressive display of sludge that garnered them a lot of attention, so I was a little apprehensive when I found out that I would be reviewing the follow up, Blood Becomes Fire. Would it be as good?
Read More...
Urbantramper - Tomorrow We Leave Here EP Review
24 Mar 2013 // by Alistar3000
Wellington’s Urbantramper really impressed me with last year’s album Internet Freedom Is Love. I really liked their blend of indie folk and downbeat electronica – it had a dark streak through it that I found interesting, yet they maintained a pop feel to their songs.
Read More...
Badd Energy - Underwater Pyramids Album Review
17 Mar 2013 // by Alistar3000
When I tried listening to the new Badd Energy album the first time I had to stop it and walk away. There was something about it that just put me off and I couldn’t listen to it.
Read More...
Homegrown 2013 Review
11 Mar 2013 // by Alistar3000
The 2nd of March brought the annual Homegrown festival to Wellington once more and I headed along to get some photos, check out some bands I hadn’t seen live before and soak up the atmosphere of 17,000 happy music fans enjoying the best of our local talent. Last year I seemed to spend most of my time at the Rock Stage, so this year I thought I’d try and check out the stages where I wouldn’t normally hang out.
Read More...
Killing Bear and About The Deadlines @ Mighty Mighty, Wellington, 15/02/13
20 Feb 2013 // by Alistar3000
Wellington was treated to not one, but two, album releases last Friday at Mighty Mighty. Kapiti duo Killing Bear and Wellington four-piece About The Deadlines both had new recordings to celebrate and where better to do it than at Mighty Mighty.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Gigs Today
- Carb On Carb
DARK ROOM - House of Mountain
DUX LIVE - Capital Punishment
MEDUSA - Assembly
SAN FRANCISCO BATHHOUSE - Battle of the Bands - Semi 1
OUTBACK INN HAMILTON - Fred V & Grafix (UK)
SANDWICHES - Tiki Taane
THE ROYAL - Sickest Smashes from Arson City
CASSETTE NUMBER NINE - Beastwars
BOURBON STREET BAR - Nadia Reid
WINE CELLAR @ ST KEVINS ARCADE
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- BLURRED LINES
Robin Thicke feat. TI And Pharrell - GET LUCKY
Daft Punk feat. Pharrell - LET HER GO
Passenger - RADIOACTIVE
Imagine Dragons - AFRICA
Toto - ROYALS
Lorde - FEEL THIS MOMENT
Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera - CAN'T HOLD US
Macklemore And Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton - MIRRORS
Justin Timberlake - SKINNY LOVE
Birdy
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
