I find the hardest reviews I have to write are the ones about the follow-up to an album I absolutely loved. Sure enough, Canadian Metal band Borealis’ previous album “The Offering” is one of my favourite albums from the last five years – it’s an absolute masterpiece in my opinion (see my review of it elsewhere on Ave Noctum for further proof). It’s been four years since then, I still regularly play “The Offering” and it still sounds fantastic. However, with so much time passed there is considerable excitement and anticipation for me where this next album is concerned – but equally trepidation and worry that it might be a disappointment.
So actually, to expand on my opening statement, the hardest reviews I ever have to write are the ones for a follow-up to an album I loved where the follow-up is nowhere near as good as its predecessor. But thankfully I don’t have to write one of those, because “Illusions” is bloody brilliant! Borealis were already a great band before “The Offering”, but they seemed to mature in some way on that release, find their own identity and absolutely excel. And here on “Illusions” they pick up where they left off…and somehow take it another step forward. I can’t predict how I’ll feel when more time has passed, but on the first few listens (all that time allows before this review goes live) the signs are very good.
Borealis’ own unique brand of Dark, Heavy Progressive Metal absolutely oozes class. From the stunning sound right through to the wonderful, heartfelt vocals, the band are top class. There are few that can match them and they back that up with fabulous arrangements and intelligent songwriting to become the full package. Of course, this was all in evidence on “The Offering”, so how does this release constitute being called a step forward? Well, this time around the band have employed the substantial talents of Vikram Shankar (Redemption, Meridian, Silent Skies etc) to compose the orchestra and synth elements of the album. The end result is that although the band already had an amazing, classy, powerful sound – now it has an extra gloss and a sheen to it. At first I was a little unsure, I liked the slight space that Borealis had in a composition to let a moment breathe, but as this album grows on me, it’s evident that the space is still there, it just has something else within, another depth, something else to give their arrangements longevity.
Everything is neatly wrapped up in another stunning engineering/mixing job by drummer Sean Dowell – the drums are of course resplendent, full of technicality, displayed in their full glory alongside intricate bass and wonderfully powerful guitar-lines and riffs. Some glorious lead-work weaves in and out of the shining orchestration and keys, and the vocals are just beyond the icing on top. Matt Marinelli has excelled himself once more, growing in confidence, maturity and ability with every consecutive album, his passionate, dynamic, powerful vocals make every melody line glisten and shine. As a unit, from the driving Progressive Power/Speed Metal basis of ‘Believer’ right through to the striking ballad-esque ‘Burning Tears’ (featuring a gorgeous guest appearance from Lynsey Ward), there is never a wasted moment, never an overlooked segment, every part of every song is essential and exists for a reason, for maximum effect and it shows in the band’s obvious attention to detail. I really hope this fantastic band don’t wait another four years to follow this album up, but if they do, I’m sure I’ll still be playing it and like its predecessor, it will no doubt continue to get better with every listen.
(9/10 Andy Barker)
Leave a Reply