(Progressive Doom/Gothic Metal With Symphonic And Jazz Influences) Illumion - Hunting For Significance - 2009, MP3 (tracks), VBR 192-320 kbps

Члены группы:
Esther Ladiges (vocals)
Peter H. Boer (bass, stick, keys)
Eveline van Kampen (guitars, erhu)
Emile Boellaard (drums)
Annemieke de Boer (keys)
In 2002, after graduating from the conservatory, department jazz and pop, Eveline wanted an ensemble to give the music in her head a voice. She formed a band with the following professional musicians: Peter H. Boer, bassplayer of Songs of the Exile (Musea Records), Esther Ladiges, known for her vocal contributions to Sangamo, Ayreon, Ixion and Unicorn, and Emile Boellaard, drummer of Songs of the Exile, Hadewych Minis & Mike Boddé. In 2004, a first demo was released independently by Illumion: ‘Into the labyrinth’, and included three songs, composed by Eveline. Two years later, ‘Into the labyrinth part II’ appeared and contained six songs, which included three covers of Pain of salvation, Fates Warning and Ark. A one year study-trip to China, keyboardplayer switching, and some serious studio investment, brings us to 2008, with Illumion deciding to record a full scale debut album: Hunting for significance Its music is symphonic and progressive with jazz influences and definite feminine edges. Historical and literary themes form the basis for the lyrics, closely interwoven with the mysticism of the human mind. Literary inspiration for this album among other things are: Oscar Wilde, William Blake, Charles Dickens, Franz Kafka and Edgar Allan Poe. The songs integrate catchy choruses, melancholic verses and dynamic bridges with solos and madrigalesque part-singing. The unexpected turn of events is one of the main themes of this album, which leads to surprising musical twists and turns. The album shows a huge variety in atmosphere. Special guests have performed on this album in order to make the music as varied and interesting as possible. Exotic instruments have not been shunned: the Irish flute, the Chinese two-stringed spike fiddle (erhu) and the Chinese four-stringed lute (pipa) are neatly assimilated into western musical structures. Illumion has chosen to deviate from conventional paths in order to create a unique style and atmosphere.