Art of Illusion - 2018 - Cold War of Solipsism

(44:23; 12 Sounds Production)

Track list:
1. Ico 2:25
2. Devious Savior 7:26
3. Allegoric Fake Entity 5:14
4. Santa Muerte 6:44
5. Able to Abide 4:22
6. Cold War of Solipsism 8:03
7. King Errant 10:09

Line-up:
Marcin Walczak - vocals
Filip Wisniewski - guitars
Pawel Lapuc - keyboards, piano
Mateusz Wisniewski - bass
Kamil Kluczynski - drums, backing vocals
with:
Barth Sobieraj - backing vocals


Prolusion.
Polish band Art of Illusion have been around for a decade and a bit, with their online presence dating back to 2012 or thereabouts. Since then the band have released two studio albums as well as a standalone single. "Cold War of Solipsism" is the most recent of their studio productions, and was released through the label 12 Sounds Production at the start of 2018.

Analysis.
In terms of style, Art of Illusion is a band that have chosen progressive metal as their specific form, and they explore these landscapes in a manner that combine classic era elements with more contemporary sounding details. Often atmospheric laden in approach and execution, but with space and room from more expressive and dramatic details.

The piano will often be present in a very visible role for starters, alternating or combined with keyboards of various kinds. In the calmer sections, and most of the compositions feature one or more of these, the piano tends to combine with a clean or acoustic guitar to form a compelling, elegant arrangement with an appealing flow and a bit of a light spirit. In the more heavy set sections the tangents function as a more delicate contrast to the more powerful sound of the electric guitar.

Elegant is also a bit of a key word for the lead vocals, that tend to be of the calm and collected variety but with a bit more intensity and power added in when needed. In many cases I am reminded more than a little bit about some of the songs by Polish veterans Riverside when listening to this album, and the calm vocals will often be a major part of that association. With form and mode of delivery being the similar traits to a much greater extent than the tone and timbre of the vocals themselves.

We also get plenty of flowing, elegant sections when the electric guitar is brought into play, but also more hard hitting and intense sections as well as the more dramatic excursions that are more typical of classic era progressive metal. Those fond of quirky instrument details will also get plenty of often more subtle instances of this to enjoy on this album. This is a band that probably can be much more flamboyant about this aspect of the experience, but that have chosen to tone down the intricacies just a little bit and appears to have focused more on function than on form in that regard.

Elegant as well as tasteful are good words to use when describing the mix and production of this album too. Progressive metal bands have a tendency to deliver solid quality in this department of course, and Art of Illusion isn't an exception to that.

Conclusion.
Just how well known Art of Illusion is as a band in progressive metal circles I don't know, as this is a field inside the progressive rock universe where listeners are rather spoilt by the number of good choices available. Art of Illusion provides us with a quality album here though, and I'd imagine that those just as fond of early days Riverside as they are of veteran bands such Dream Theater should find this album to be rather satisfying. A solid album that should have a broad appeal among progressive metal fans in general.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, April 2024

Links:
http://www.artofillusion.info/