ILLYRIAN “The Entity, Unknown”

Self-Released, 2019

Music: Thrash Metal

Website: https://illyrian.bandcamp.com/

Duration: 32:34 minutes (8 tracks)

Country: Canada

ILLYRIAN return for a second helping of thrash metal with “The Entity, Unknown,” which follows their 2016 debut “Round 2: Fight!” While “The Entity, Unknown” wears the thrash tag, it’s important to note this is not an olds school rip-off. This recording is firmly entrenched in the now. Sure, a lot of old school thrashers will hear similar patterns and techniques that Bay-Area bands such as TESTAMENT and EXODUS made famous, and the group were most likely weaned on these sounds. What metalhead isn’t? However, we’re heading into the ‘20s of the new millennium and metal has undergone many facelifts in that time. Bands such as THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WRETCHED and REVOCATION have made their mark on the annuals of metal.

From the first note of album opener “Void,” the band proclaims what the listener will hear—complex timing, graceful/technical guitar play and screaming vocals. The vocals possess the modern, medium-range which doesn’t hit the shrill, hawk-like range of certain black metal groups, but at the same time doesn’t hit the abysmal lows of death metal. Scott Onofrychuk and Jeff Perry have a vocal dynamic that not only conveys this range but also lower, more traditional death metal growls and cleaner, “thrash friendly” vocals. The cleaner voices on “Amanar Rising” and “Levottomus” are sung in a rhythm similar to SHADOWS FALL (remember that band?), which leads to one of the catchier songs on the record. The blackened vocals on “Grant Us Eyes,” work quite will with guitar harmonies.

Musically, ILLYRIAN are quite tight and technical. REVOCATION are recognized as one of the modern heavyweights of technical metal in the modern world, and much of “The Entity, Unknown” contains similar fretwork and drum changes. While the album is quite unrelenting in heaviness, the solos, and melodies played by Onofrychuk result in hum-worthy tunes. “Recipe for Disaster” and the title contain ripping leads. “Gwynbleidd” provides a melodic break from the bruising ride that marked the first few tracks. This instrumental is lush in sound and conjures the spirit of KING DIAMOND instrumentals. The track provides a good transition point into “Xanthous,” which has a melodic death metal approach not far removed from AT THE GATES in places.

There is no denying that ILLYRIAN’s members possess immense talent. From the time changes to the finger tapping and multiple vocal dimensions, the band know their way around their instruments. The album production and modern approach is a drawback for this reviewer, but fans of the aforementioned bands should definitely take the time to check out “The Entity, Unknown.”

Tracklist:

1. Void

2. Amanar Rising

3. Grant Us Eyes

4. Levottomus

5. Recipe For Disaster

6. Gwynbleidd

7. Xanthous

8. The Entity, Unknown

Line-Up:

Scott Onofrychuk: Guitar, Growls/Shouting

Jeff Perry: Bass, Harsh Vocals