Label: Rockshots Records
Release Date: May 21, 2021
Runtime: 78min
Release Specification:
– 12 pages booklet
Track List:
01. Besetting Sins
02. Acedia
03. Crimson Wreath 04. Immortal No
05. All Shall Fade
06. All Blood Red
07. The Voice Inside Me
08. S.T. Forsaken
09. Ashes To Dust
10. A Poem I Couldn’t Rhyme
An Opus Of Loss And Sorrow:
11. Pedestal I: Past Forever Last
12. Pedestal II: The Isle Of Shadows
13. Pedestal III: Agony’s Last
14. Fortress Of Sadness
ILLUSORY’s third album, “Crimson Wreath”, is out 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.
Produced by Yiannis Petroyiannis
Co-Produced by Dee “K.man” Theodorou
Engineered and edited by Dee “K.man” Theodorou at the iCave Studio and Yiannis Petroyiannis at the Matrix Studios
Mixed and Mastered by Yiannis Petroyiannis at the Matrix Studios
All songs composed, arranged and orchestrated by ILLUSORY
Art cover designed by Panagiotis “Hammer” Sfiris
Design / Layout by Panagiotis “Hammer” Sfiris
Art concept conceived and directed by Stiver Graunne
Photography by Vaios Roupis
Photo processing by Manos Psakis
* 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
* Narration on “The Voice Inside Me” by Stiver Graunne
* Narration on “The Isle Of Shadows” by George Papantonis
* Gang Voices by the Ivories & Gregory Koilakos (Fortis Ventus)
* Choral Arrangements by Dee Theodorou
“It’s about a multifarious work, with an admirable flow”.
Kostas Lyros, Metal Hammer – Greece
“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 – 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
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This is the Magnum Opus of the album. Ten minutes long! This is a song where all of our skills and virtues as composers are shown. Latin and crowd choir parts, a variety of vocal melody lines, plenty guitar riffs, amazing drum rhythms and an outro that brings the shivers out. The lyrics are about a pedophile’s sickening actions and a little girl’s drama; the very little girl that caught into his lair…
lyrics
Ego Vobis – Deus Malum
Dominantur – Vita Tua
Ego Pluviam – Multum Dolor
Vestri Mortem – Ego Feroces
She came out, just to play, in a cold December day
She can run but he knows that she cannot hide
Man was caught, for a life, Mr. Jones; he was “The Knife”
Lawyers were so bright and justice’s always blind
There she stood, before him, pushed a breath out for a scream
Wicked game, terror theme, this is not another dream
Ego Vobis – Ego Feroces
This nightmare’s scene, a living hell
There’s no exit, there’s no escape
No one ever rings the bell
There’s an evil shape
This fortress of sadness, a place where the innocent fade
Deep inside, in his lair, no, my God, this isn’t fair
She is trembling like a flame, she is undressed
Watch the night coming down; it is time to wear his crown
Taking lives, another medal on his chest
Little angel, be aware, time to fight now if you dare
Are you tied on that chair? Are you standing in despair?
Dominantur – Ego Feroces
This nightmare’s scene, a living hell
There’s no exit, there’s no escape
No one ever rings the bell
There’s an evil shape
This fortress of sadness, a place where the innocent fade
“Please Mr. Jones, don’t hurt me
I will behave, believe me
My dress is wet, I can’t see
(See no God, hear no God, speak no God)
Is this my blood? No sign of God”
“We’ll hunt you, we’ll find you
Your darkest fears will come true
A short shrift, your last shift
Lo and behold
Surrender, remember
These days of sad December
Taste pyre and fire
The road to hell will now unfold”
Helen still calls, behind the cold walls
Of cruel submission and childhood predation
Man of terror, creation’s error
Full of dark addictions and nasty ambitions
Dad and mom knows where to find their little rose
Someone heard a weep, while he was asleep
Realizing, the sun is rising
The girl is not dead; a gun is aiming his head
Inside his nightmare’s scene, a living hell
Found the exit, Helen escaped
Now he’s wasted in a cell
Punishment unveiled
Inside his fortress of sadness should justice prevail
Helen, leave the past, don’t live in the past
“Go away!
Please, go away!
They went away… but they will come back
Child molester!
Molest the molester…
You are dead to me!
I am dead to me…”
supported by 6 fans who also own “Fortress Of Sadness”
Blind Guardian esque massive modern power metal. 20 years in the making, this record is a lot to absorb. Give it repeated spins! last vinyl before doomsday
supported by 5 fans who also own “Fortress Of Sadness”
Well, my fellow-travellers of Krynn, this IS true epic heavy metal!!! An excellent sequel after their debut, Paladine march forth fearless - Entering the Abyss is a memorable "soundtrack" of the Twins saga (Weis, Hickman). Must-have for every epic metal fan! BoneWalker
supported by 5 fans who also own “Fortress Of Sadness”
epic heroic metal in the traditional style of Hellas. songs are hook oriented, with slamming muscular riffs and a slight hint of folk vibes that comes off as complementary but not cheesy or overpowering. The chorus on 'Steel Arctus' is easily in my top 5 of 2020. el culo sucio
