Illudium presents their sophomore full-length album »Ash Of The Womb«, out now via Prophecy Productions
California sun-drenched dreamscape metal act Illudium presents their sophomore full-length album, »Ash Of The Womb«, which was just released this Friday, October 15th, 2021 via Prophecy Productions.
Shantel Amundson comments: “It’s an honor to present »Ash Of The Womb« to the world, and the journey that it embodies in sonic form. Special thanks to Jack Shirley at Atomic Garden, Sammy Fielding at Ancient Owl, Daniel Hart of Festering Wounds and Michelle Nisbet. Endless gratitude to everyone that put energy into the making of this album, and to those who have supported us thus far. Streaming in full on all music platforms.”
Tracklist:
01. Aster
02. Sempervirens
03. Soma Sema
04. Ätopa
05. Madrigal
06. Where Death And Dreams Do Manifest
From Prophecy Productions:
»Ash Of The Womb«, the sophomore full-length from California’s Illudium was born in the fiery pandemonium of the burning season of 2020 when huge tracts of the sunshine state went up in flames, while skies glowed orange at night. The many layers of dark and harsh metal shading on this album can easily be seen as a residue from those events. Yet the listener will still encounter those sun-drenched textures and honey-rich passages from the band’s beginning on »Septem« (2016) that reflect the beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest with its redwood forests and the blue ocean that also inspire Illudium. Mastermind Shantel Amundson spent her formative years listening to The Smashing Pumpkins, Isis, Kate Bush, and Cocteau Twins among many others, which makes it difficult to pin her own music down.
While »Ash Of The Womb« clearly builds on and expands »Septem«, the new album intensifies the darker and heavier elements, which results in a more dynamic and holistic musical experience that Illudium elegantly balance against their dreamy and sophisticated side. Taking their name from a concept coined by Mircae Eliade, Illudium can be seen as the musical embodiment of the religious philosopher’s idea of “illud tempus” (“that time”), which is referring to the mythical sacred time of the first creation of this world. With a degree in cultural anthropology and art history, it is hardly surprising that Shantel’s lyrics revolve around mystical and metaphysical ideas. With »Ash Of The Womb«, Illudium have created an equally heavier, darker and yet more honey-combed vision of their musical exploration that gently asks for extra attention and diligent listening before revealing its true depths.
Photo by Michelle Nisbet
Album line-up:
Shantel Amundson – Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer
Gregory Wesenfeld – Drums
Josef Hossain-Kay – Bass
Live line-up:
Shantel Amundson – Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer
Trevor Deschryver – Drums
Josef Hossain-Kay – Bass
Orders worldwide: en.prophecy.de
Orders US/Canada: us.prophecy.de
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well