Ilium
2002
by Nathan Pearce
This Australian melodic power-metal band takes influences from Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Savatage, Ratt, Rhapsody, etc. and creates music devoid of any originality. This self released EP contains four songs of total 80’s power-metal worship. I’ll admit it takes a damn good power-metal band to impress me these days, but unfortunately Ilium has a long way to go to impress even the average power-metal fan.
The production of the album is quite good. Guitars retain that heavily distorted mid-scooped feel of classic albums of the 80’s and early 90’s. The bass and drums do an adequate job holding down relatively uninspired rhythms. Vocals are a different story on this disc. Mak Snedden causes me to lose all interest in each and every song. His nasal operatic sneer is so annoying I can’t wait for the next bland guitar solo or guitar harmony in each song.
A song like “Antigone” has promise with it’s crafty middle-eastern guitar harmonies. It then loses my interest with the absolute Iron Maiden worship and of course when the vocals come in. However, my advice to the band is to pick up with this song and move forward with this style of song writing. The three other songs on the album, especially “Half-Life” and “Semblance”, are too dull for me.
For the average power-metaller, Ilium might be worth your time. However, for anybody interested in music with a purpose and originality, go elsewhere. Ilium will remain less than average until the band finds a style to call their own. The 80’s have come and gone. Oh . . . and do something with the vocals. PLEASE!
Ilium’s Website:
http://ilium0.tripod.com/
