Illudium are now unveiling the melancholic video meditation on the natural world ‘Soma Sema’ as the first single taken from their forthcoming album “Ash of the Womb”, which is slated for release on October 15, 2021. The Californian dark dreamgaze act headed by singer and guitarist Shantel Amundson is also revealing cover art, tracklist, and further details of the new full-length below.
Watch the cinema noir clip for ‘Soma Sema’ at: https://youtu.be/pwiS3cK6L9I
Illudium comment: “Our first single, ‘Soma Sema’ revolves around the idea of freedom from the fetters of the body, the principles of our attachment to Earth, and our subsequent release”, states frontwoman Shantel Amundson. “The song deals with the turbulence and suffering that we encounter throughout our lives, physically and spiritually. The lyrical concept is representative of the overarching theme of this album, of death within the womb and life within the tomb. Maternal mortality and posthumous birth are topics that are very personal to me, and something that I sought to honor in this song. Yet these themes can also be applied, as is the intention with this album, to our relationship with Earth, our impact on its ecosystems, and the exploitation of the natural world for the progression of human purposes.”
Tracklist: 1. Aster 2. Sempervirens 3. Soma Sema 4. Ātopa 5. Madrigal 6. Where Death and Dreams Do Manifest
“Ash of the Womb”, the sophomore full-length from California’s Illudium was born in the fiery pandemonium of the burning season of 2020 when huge tracts of the sunshine state went up in flames, while skies glowed orange at night. The lands were scorched, forests and houses turned to ash, lives were lost and what remained was covered in black soot. During this hard time, mastermind, guitarist, and vocalist Shantel Amundson experienced profound changes in her life as well, which amount to a personal ordeal of fire. The many layers of dark and harsh metal shading on this album can easily be seen as a residue from those events.
Yet, this is far from all that has influenced “Ash of the Womb”. There are still those sun-drenched textures and honey-rich passages from the band’s beginning on “Septem” (2016) that reflect the beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Coast, the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz mountains, and the blue ocean among which Shantel grew up and to which she returns time again in search of inspiration for Illudium.
The singer’s musical inspiration stems from a wide variety of sources, of which some may have left an echo in her current work, while others have clearly not. As any self-respecting artist, Shantel prefers her music to be seen on its own terms, but she is willing to give some insights into musicians that have shaped her formative years such as SMASHING PUMPKINS, ISIS, KATE BUSH, and COCTEAU TWINS among many others. The difficulty to pin her resulting music down, is indicated by previous critical attempts to categorise Shantel’s debut “Septem” that range from the somewhat long shot “progressive stoner doom” to the wide label of post-rock with comparisons to previous works by ALCEST and LANTLÔS for example.
While “Ash of the Womb” clearly builds on and expands “Septem”, the new album intensifies the darker and heavier elements, which results in a more dynamic and holistic musical experience. Illudium have most definitely found a new balance with their dreamy and sophisticated side. Yet there is also continuity from the previous album for example in the shape of collaborator Gregory Wesenfeld, whose emotive drumming provides a steady drive to the songs again. After the recording, former DEAFHEAVEN and WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM drummer Trevor Deschryver has been announced to replace Gregory for all future endeavors of Illudium.
Taking their name from a concept coined by Mircae Eliade, Illudium can be seen as the musical embodiment of the religious philosopher’s idea of “illud tempus” (“that time”), which is referring to the mythical sacred time of the first creation of this world. With a degree in cultural anthropology and art history, it is hardly surprising that Shantel’s lyrics revolve around mystical and metaphysical ideas.
In Illudium‘s words: “Walking through the fire and building a healing centre from ashes is the overall message and vision of this album”, explains Shantel. “The lyrics deal mostly with the human body and its vulnerability through the transitions of life. They examine the natural cycles of birth, growth, death, and rebirth. Death within the womb and life within the tomb.”
With “Ash of the Womb”, Illudium have created an equally heavier, darker and yet more honey-combed vision of their musical exploration that gently asks for extra attention and diligent listening before revealing its true depths.
Recording line-up: Shantel Amundson – vocals, guitars, synthesizer / Gregory Wesenfeld – drums / Josef Hossain-Kay – bass
Current line-up: Shantel Amundson – vocals, guitars, synthesizer / Trevor Deschryver – drums / Josef Hossain-Kay – bass
Recording and mix with Sammy Fielding at Ancient Owl Audio Recording Studio / Mastering by Jack Shirley at The Atomic Garden Recording Studios / Album Layout by Leslie Ferras / Photography by Daniel Hart and Shantel Amundson
Pre-sale link: http://lnk.spkr.media/illudium-ash-of-the-womb
Available formats: “Ash of the Womb” is available as 180g ash grey vinyl, 180g black vinyl, and on CD.
