The first track ‘Glasnost’ starts life with an almost Breed 77 like guitar intro before bursting into a full on delight of metal at its best, unrelenting until the last note, then a moment’s pause before ‘Murdocracy’ continues the journey of noise. Each track takes us through emotions, from sorrowful laments to defiant opinion, in words and sound delivering their creativity as a band and individuals.

The vocals of Julio Taylor define each tracks message with passion and feeling, supported by some of the most refreshing guitar work in recent releases from Jonathan Martin. From flat out metal like ‘Keep Calm And Carry On’ to atmospheric flavours such as ‘Clarity’, Illuminatus do not hold back, with the driven drums and bass ofFelix Rullhuser and Leo Giovazzini respectively shaping the canvas for the landscape of sound. The album ends as strikingly as it starts with the snarling ‘Wolves!’, the track epitomises the whole album with its strength and musical beauty. Not a word probably used in regard to an abundance of metal albums but this is, in the way the songs are composed and arranged, the care the band have to all aspects as they turn their ideas into unique songs.

Though a Nottingham band, Illuminatus is multinational in person and that also adds spices to their sound withTaylor and Giovazzini’s Latin culture coming through as on the title track. Producer Willi Dammeier (Apoptygma Berzerk, Fony, Symphony Cult) adds to the quality of the music as he helps bring the single elements and the overall package into a focused and intense slice of metal history. This feels like the point Illuminatusbecomes a paragraph in rock culture no longer a footnote in the latest chapter.

‘Glasnost’ is released on Headroom Records on February 7^th and I urge you to check it out. It is a must listen for fans of bands like Deftones, Paradise Lost and October File, and all those who like their metal to have quality and substance. Catch them on their soon to start UK tour and at their website.

Full review: http://www.thisisnotascene.com/2011/illuminatus-glasnost/

What you get here are 11 faultless tracks of modern metal perfomed largely at mid-pace but possessing an intensity that would fit many a band operating at a much faster pace. The depth of production is staggering as the sound of a plethora of guitars range from riffing to ringing over rhythms and beats that hammer down with dynamic effect rather than punishing pace, al absolutely spot on for the arrangements.

The vocals are sung, hollered, always discernible and the songs are totally enthralling, hypnotic and complete outpourings of passion – delivered with the same intensity and electrifying effect as the playing, often even more so.

From start to finish, you’re just hooked to the thing, not wanting to skip to the next track, completely happy just to let the whole 11 tracks wash over you like a warm slow-motion tidal wave. It’s one glorious song after another, one pounding slice of excellently arranged and played metal after another, and all performed with unnervingly electrifying results – in short, one stunner of an album.”

Is easy to categorize this band as some close brothers in arms come to mind, particularly the dark groovy indemnities of Anathema. Along with this particular trait these guys put an hard emphasis on the songwriting here which often times leans on some political undertakings but leveling off a bit to push their message. Maybe the culmination of ideas from different backgrounds play a part in the way these guys play, as they feature band members originating from Spain, Italy, Germany and Britain.

You won’t find an array of one instrument dominating in these guys music, the writing leads the way to their dark alternative sound which then generates a steam of smoke from the deep concise vocals of front man Julio Taylor(vocals, guitars). The heavy politically driven words on “Murdocracy” sends off a deep meaning of the band’s strong and poignant lyrical prowess. The more melodic driven guitar tones inject a flavor of more alternative medicine on the track “Cave In”. The sky is lit once more with the fiery and strongest rhythm bass flux of “Carry On”, again relying heavy on it’s underlining message. By the time you reach the song “RED” your mind has exploded with mind bending intrinsic ammunition of progressive post metal power.

One of the best written release of the early year as I felt like I was listening to a soundtrack to one’s own emotional journey of self revelation and realization of the world “out there”. Is obvious these guys make music with intend to strike a strong emotion in each song, you add the war machine heavy guitar arrangement and the ferocious vocals of Taylor and you have quite a combination. I’m not the biggest alternative freak out there but I do like my music with some meaning and purpose once in a while and this is where Illuminatus excels. They get their point across with strong conviction and appraisal. Is up to you if you want to take the next step and give them a listen, I did and got more then I expected.

For those wondering what the hell Glasnost mean —— “Russian – was the policy of maximal publicity, openness, and transparency in the activities of all government institutions”

Written by Denys

Ratings Denys 9/10

Original review: http://myglobalmind.com/2011/02/03/illuminatus-glasnost/

The band consists of, Julio Taylor (Vocals/Guitar), Jon Martin (Guitar), Felix Rullhusen (Drums), Leo Giovazzini (Bass, but at times sound like there are hundreds of members building the sound wall that assaults (in the best possible way)your ears. Julio’s vocals range from a Kory Clarke (Warrior Soul) type scream, to the beautifully soft and gentle.

There is not a bad track on this album, but some of the standout tracks include, Murdocracy, Reconnect and You’ll Never Know What This Means.

Given the right breaks this band could be huge, they have the perfect mix between melody and power, and write some cracking tunes!

Check ‘em out.

Full review here -> http://sinisterangelsrealm.blogspot.com/2010/12/illuminatus-glasnost.html

Read the full review here.

“The Rising Tide EP Opens with ‘Cave In’ and a sweet rounded melodic riff that is charged with an underlying emotion setting the scene for illuminatus to power through with their trademark wall of passionate guitar scrubbing while Julio’s vocals make the hair on the back of your neck raise.

This is the introduction to the new illuminatus four track EP and is worth the entrance fee already, but never ones to short change the fans, illuminatus proceed to give double value with the title track ‘The Rising Tide’, the passion that the band write with is truly amazing, and to bundle it with a metal sound that can be harsh but beautiful at the same time must surly be unique. illuminatus provide three fresh powerful songs to wet our appetite with the third song simply ‘Red’ rising and sweeping like a stormy sea that you wish would never end, finishing off with a wonderful acoustic version of one of the bands earlier songs ‘Wargasm’ which conveys ever more meaning each time you listen.

illuminatus on this showing are proving that there is a lot more to come yet from this team of committed to the cause band of brothers, long may they rise.”

Read the full review here.