Illuminata - World So Cold (2011)

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Seeminly out of nowhere, today we have one of the most impressive Gothic/Symphonic Metal releases of 2011 with Illuminata’s “World So Cold” release. Featuring ex-Visions of Atlantis vocalist
Joanna Nieniewska, Katarzyna Nieniewska on vocals and flute, and Sabrina on backing vocals and keyboards, this band has what it takes to improve on Coronatu’s dual female vocal approach to the genre.

Not only relying on pretty voices (and girls), “World So Cold” features very intricate compositions that nicely blend orchestrations with powerful guitars and very catchy melodies. Opening with the traditional momentum-building track, this release quickly explodes into a keyboard driven anthem “Cold Arms Warm Hands”. In this track you can easily see similarities with bands like Epica, but Illuminata has a very different sound when it comes to the singing.

Power ballads like “End My Agony”, “The World Collector” and “Metamorphia II” are great examples on the band’s abilities to write emotionally drive tracks with majestic orchestrations, very similar to Within Temptation sans the pop-ish influences. The band’s rich sound is very theatrical beautifully arranging each track. But not all is just mellow and overly dramatic, other tracks like “The Divine Puppet” and “Dead Warden Dreamer” have the perfect balance of powerful guitars and intricate vocal lines.

Our favorite track of this release has to be the lush and powerful “Love in Picturesque”, this track has everything from melodic passages, beautiful dual vocals and catchy sections. This reminds us a bit of the dynamism of Visions of Atlantis and Sirenia but with a more elaborate atmosphere, just brilliant.

In general this album is very entertaining and features a diverse array of songs that will reach to all fans of the genre and the previously mentioned bands. “World So Cold” is a great example of how you can re-hash and improve what other bands have done in the genre. Illuminata has great musicians and singers and this is gracefully show through the 45+ minutes of music in this very entertaining release, a must have for any fan of Gothic/Symphonic Metal.

Band: Illuminata Album: World So Cold
Label: Twilight Zone Records

Release: November 25th, 2011

Oficial Site myspace
Genre: Gothic/Symphonic Metal

Country: Austria

Rating: 90/100
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