Illusions of Grandeur – “The Siren”

Illusions of Grandeur
“The Siren” 
Released : October 2021
Revulsion of Spirit Records/Universal Music Group

Illusion of Grandeur, “I.O.G.”, is a Theatrical Hard Rock/Fantasy Metal band from York, USA.  While the fantasy metal band description doesn’t say much about the band’s sound, it gives away a lot about the concept and the lyrical work. The Siren Saga is a story of the journeys, perils, and triumphs of the Siren and her warriors.  The story mixes facts and fiction combining Greek and Norse Mythology, Sirens, Gods, Archangels and Kharon “The Ferryman”.  

And just like the story mixes and travels influentially from Scandinavia to ancient Greece, so the music of the “The Siren” occurs from different sources of inspiration. Illusions of Grandeur come with what can only be described as an in-your-face sound that leans mostly towards the metal side. Still, in the “The Siren” a balance is found between the hard rock ideas and the mixture of modern sounding groove metal that describes the majority of the record. The epic element is, also, present at certain points assisting in the formation of blood-boiling, fist-pumping tracks like the “We Ryse” and the “The Storm”, which are two of the most powerful songs of the record.  

Interesting and absolutely fitting characteristic of the album was the prominent theatricality in the vocal performance. The melodic vocal lines and the Siren’s vocal quality that can go from harsh and gritty to absolutely soft and ethereal, create a beautiful contrast with the rough textured sound of distorted, fuzzy riffs and crushing drums. Aggressive, crushing and at the same time melodic and epic, the “The Siren” is an exciting, fresh and absolutely interesting release, that I cannot but highly recommend.