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Illuminae — Dark Horizons
(Gonzo Multimedia Immrama ILUCD001, 2021, CD)

by Jon Davis, Published 2021-07-20

Dark Horizons Cover art

Singer Agnieszka Świta might be familiar to some listeners from her work in Caamora with Clive Nolan, but in Illuminae she’s teamed up with Ian Jones of Karnataka. Given those two references, you might expect grandiose progressive rock with sweeping melodies and symphonic arrangements, and you’d be absolutely right. The ten songs on Dark Horizons range from cinematic grandeur to epic grandiosity to lushly orchestrated rock. If you think those three descriptions are pretty much the same thing, you will have summed up Illuminae nicely. These are very slight variations on the same theme. Świta and Jones are abetted by Craig Blundell (drums), Troy Donockley (uilleann pipes and low whistle), Luke Machin (guitar), Steve Hackett (guitar on one track), John Helliwell (woodwinds on one track), and Gonzalo Carrera (piano on one track); Jones covers bass, bass pedals, keyboards, acoustic guitar, programming, and string arrangements (presumably emulated since there are no string players listed). Donockley’s contributions are most prominent on “Heretics and Prophecy,” where the pipes are backed by acoustic guitar, Middle Eastern percussion, thunderous drums, and massively overdubbed voices. “Lullaby” starts relatively quietly, with whispered words and a harp-like keyboard sound before building up with string synth and low whistle, and reaches a most un-lullaby-like climax with a shredding guitar solo over pounding drums. The album’s production is suitably massive, taking its cue from the likes of recent Hans Zimmer soundtracks, and Świta’s voice is strong, whether taking the lead or in the multitudes of backing parts providing harmonies and countermelodies. While it’s all very safe and predictable, it should please the many fans who enjoy this brand of symphonic rock.

Filed under: New releases, 2021 releases

Related artist(s): Steve Hackett, Illuminae

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