Enviro-Metal is the brand new EP from Australian power metal act Ilium, featuring six songs inspired by guitarist Jason Hodges' real life role as a volunteer wildlife rescuer for Hunter Wildlife Rescue, who rehabilitates sick and injured animals in Newcastle and North South Wales. Anyone who gives their time towards a cause like this gets major props in my book, as I'm an enormous animal lover and supporter, and it makes Enviro-Metal instantly appealing to this writer. Joining Jason here is Adam Smith on guitars, bass, and keyboards, as well as special guests Lord Tim (vocals & production) and Tim Yatras (drums.)
Much of the album is inspired by various animals who are or near extinction, and the greed of the human species who drove them to those conditions as well as the few who tried to save them. If you are an animal lover who fears for the fate of many of our endangered species, these songs will hit deep. Musically, what you have is melodic power metal with some proggy touches along the way, "Golden Toad" arriving with some potent riffing from Hodges & Smith, the rhythms complex and Lord Tim's excellent vocals soaring over the top. In fact Tim is sensational here, his 'Geoff Tate-meets-Michael Kiske-meets-Bruce Dickinson' styled attack proves to be the perfect foil for these upbeat, melodic metal anthems. "American Crocodile" and "Genetic Memory" have that Helloween/Queensryche feel to them, memorable, melodic, heavy, and plenty progressive, plus chock full of tasty guitar solos. The only track here that kind of sticks out like a sore thumb is their cover of "I Got You" by Split Enz, an early '80s new wave classic given a power metal spin...it's fun, and well done, but I would have rather heard another original song. Hammerfall fans will certainly like "Père David's Deer", a galloping European styled power metal thumper with double bass drums firing on all cylinders, a smattering of keyboards, blazing guitar solos, and uplifting vocals.
Overall, Enviro-Metal is a lot of fun, and put together with a lot of love behind the concept. Well done guys!
Track Listing
1.
Golden Toad 03:31
2.
Père David's Deer 03:03
3.
Greenpeace 03:28
4.
American Crocodile 06:44
5.
Genetic Memory 08:02
6.
I Got You 03:56
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