Illusia: Mind Over Matter

You might say that the new self-described progressive metal band Illusia went for broke with their debut album Mind Over Matter. It’s a lengthy concept album penned by the band’s founder and primary musician, Jason Tyler, describing a person who, he says, has retreated “to a world in their mind: a safe refuge of their own creation where no harm can reach them. Those closest to them try to pull them back, but as time passes, the line between reality and fantasy begins to blur. Their consciousness shifts between these two worlds, and they long for stability and peace of mind. But where will they ultimately find it? Will they return to reality, guided by the love of those who care for them? Or will they be lost within their own mind forever?�

Did their talent match their ambition? I would say, yes, for the most part.

The other official member of the UK-based Illusia is Dec Doyle, who plays guitar and provides vocals. Tyler and Doyle are joined by numerous guest vocalists, male and female. The musicianship is of a high quality throughout, though whether it is progressive metal is debatable. I would be more inclined to call it symphonic metal with some prog metal passages, perhaps which seem even heavier given the album’s themes.

I was thrown at first by the variety of vocalists. Isn’t this supposed to tell the story of one person’s pursuit of serenity? But, upon repeated listens, it may make more sense than I initially thought. The multiple voices could represent the protagonist’s mood at various points throughout the journey, or they could be used to make the story appeal to a broader audience. I’m not quite sure, but it ultimately works alright for me. And if you don’t want to pay attention to the story, that’s fine too. There are more than enough tunes on the album that can be enjoyed individually to make it worth your while.

Track Listing
1. Overture (8:04)
2. Solace Divine (5:09)
3. Daydream (4:17)
4. Delirium (8:05)
5. Anemoia (4:25)
6. Shine Through The Night (4:41)
7. Dream Dance (4:58)
8. Alone (5:05)
9. Beauty In Disguise (6:31)
10. What If (5:36)
11. Arrival (7:33)

Added: October 6th 2025
Reviewer: Aaron Steelman
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 326
Language: english

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