Perth post-black metal quintet Illyria has followed their haunting single “Kenopsia” up with an almost triumphant second offering, “Wilderness” from the upcoming album ‘The Carpathian Summit‘, due out April 26.
The new single “Wilderness” is recorded, mixed and mastered by Illyria bassist Daniel Hacking and touches on themes of lust and gluttony and addresses how even powerful relations suffer at the hands of mortal passions. Illyria vocalist and guitarist Ilijah Stajić says, “… Wilderness is about the complications of love and lust and how it affects close relationships around us but also on a global spectrum. The lyrics utilise analogies such as political greed and war showcasing that even the most powerful figures in our society can be corrupted by worldly passions such as lust and gluttony.”
The entrancing video clip that accompanies the single is filmed between Perth and Norway and was directed, filmed and edited by André Avila with help from Illyria drummer Matt Unkovich with direction and Pierré Gildenhuys with filming. The clip features acting by Kjetil Hallaråker from Arkentype & Sine Madelen Omdal. Illyria pour their heart and soul in to “Wilderness” in a performance shoot from their hometown Perth while footage of Norway’s wintry landscape weaves it’s way through the seven-minute masterpiece and tells the story of a man consumed by lust to his detriment.
‘The Carpathian Summit’ is Illyria’s sophomore effort and will follow on from their 2016 self-titled debut release, adding 11 new tracks to their repertoire of diverse styles and symbolic motifs. “Kenopsia” and “Wilderness” lead the way for the upcoming album, showcasing Illyria’s chaotic cacophony of crafted sounds.
“Kenopsia” tapped in to a post-black metal niche that appeals to a wide audience and made waves within the music industry when the track dropped in early March. In just two days, “Kenopsia” received six 4+ star reviews from the triple j team on the band’s Unearthed page, earned a spot on triple j Unearthed rotation, had play on triple j’s Home & Hosed and triple j’s The Racket and was added to The Faction radio rotation.
Illyria is Ilijah Stajić on vocals and guitar, George Blacklock and James Warren on guitar, Daniel Hacking on Bass and Matt Unkovich on drums. Inspired by fellow contemporaries Alcest, Deafheaven, Lantlôs and Les Discrets, Illyria’s goal is to captivate on the gracious melodies and pulsating rhythms of their hybrid genre whilst promoting the accessibility of post-black metal to new listeners around the world. The band have already shared the stage with musical acts such as Ne Obliviscaris, Plini, Alcest, Caligula’s Horse, Lindsay Schoolcraft and Make Them Suffer with the vision of expanding their horizons.
The Perth outfit will be launching ‘The Carpathian Summit’ with fellow homegrown talent Deadspace, Yomi Ship and Waste Not at Badlands Bar on May 3rd.
Illyria’s brand new album ‘The Carpathian Summit’ will be released on Friday April 26 and can be pre-ordered from Friday March 8 at iTunes & Apple Music/Spotify/Google Play and all good online stores and streaming outlets. Singles “Kenopsia” and “Wilderness” are out now.
