Illuminatus (band)
Encyclopedia
Illuminatus are an alternative metal
band
from Nottingham
.
Their first commercial release, the Aborted Revolutions EP was recorded with Harvey Birrell (Therapy?
, Ministry
) at Southern Studios
in Wood Green, London, and was released in 2003 to good reviews, including I Will Be Heard, who described the EP as "...a dark, emotionally charged and often claustrophobic atmosphere that is performed with enthusiasm and masses of vitality, like telling a brothers Grimm tale while hiding in the shadows and then using a loud hailer..." A video for the track Wargasm was released shortly afterwards.
The success of the EP led to the band securing a space on the Darwin (Unsigned) stage at the Bloodstock
festival in 2003, the first of 3 appearances at the festival with further appearances in 2004 and 2006, supporting acts such as Children of Bodom
, Primal Fear
and Gamma Ray
. The performance introduced the band to Carbon 13 studios based in Runcorn
, where they recorded their last EP, the Carbon 13 recordings. This EP was never due for commercial release and was released free to their fans at shows under an agreement with Carbon 13 studios.
From 2006 to 2007, the band went through a number of line up changes, and finally the decision was made to continue as a 4 piece without keyboards, with the band returning to the studio to re-arrange their existing tracks.
, securing the release of the album through AntHill Records with distribution provided by Pinnacle. The album was released on 26 May 2008, receiving good reviews from Room Thirteen and Rock 3 Music magazine. Three videos for the tracks Black and Wait were released in 2008, and another was released in 2009 for Captive State.
To support the release, the band went on tour during July 2008, and secured dates on the UK Leg of Ministry's
final UK tour, the C-U-LaTour. Their first full UK and Ireland tour took place in October 2008, supporting LA's My Ruin
. and they were billed as main support on Breed77 & Susperia's UK tour in May 2009. Illuminatus were also granted the opportunity to play on three dates in June 2009 as support for Prong
.
. In June 2010, they made a trip over to Hanover, Germany to visit the Institut für Wohlklangforschung and record the new album with Willi Dammeier. The two week recording process was documented by the band on their website. The album was released on the 7 February 2011 and gained highly praised reviews from a number of international magazines and fanzines including Circle Pit, This Is Not A Scene, Pure Rawk and Dead Press A video for Murdocracy was released on 6 May 2011.
In support of the album, the band went on a headline UK tour in February and March, and secured a slot at the 2011 Download Festival
. The band have also announced a three date UK tour with Sworn to Oath, and a European tour with Hawklords
.
Alternative metal
Alternative metal is a genre of alternative rock and heavy metal that gained popularity in the early 1990s. Most notably, alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs and experimental approaches to heavy music.-Origins:...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
.
Early Years (2002-2007)
Illuminatus formed in 2002 and shortly afterwards entered the Battle of the Bands competition in Nottingham, winning the competition and using the prize money to record and release their first EP, Suburban Symmetry in 2002, which gained acclaim from local press.Their first commercial release, the Aborted Revolutions EP was recorded with Harvey Birrell (Therapy?
Therapy?
Therapy? is an alternative metal band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist–vocalist Andy Cairns from Ballyclare and drummer-vocalist Fyfe Ewing from Larne, Northern Ireland. The band initially recorded their first demo with Cairns filling in on bass guitar...
, Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
) at Southern Studios
Southern Studios
Southern Studios is a recording studio in the Wood Green area of London. It was founded in 1974 by John Loder, and came to be the recording studio of choice for Crass and their record label Crass Records. Southern Studios Ltd. continues to grow its label and provide label management and...
in Wood Green, London, and was released in 2003 to good reviews, including I Will Be Heard, who described the EP as "...a dark, emotionally charged and often claustrophobic atmosphere that is performed with enthusiasm and masses of vitality, like telling a brothers Grimm tale while hiding in the shadows and then using a loud hailer..." A video for the track Wargasm was released shortly afterwards.
The success of the EP led to the band securing a space on the Darwin (Unsigned) stage at the Bloodstock
Bloodstock
Bloodstock was an annual metal music festival held from 2001 to 2006 over two days in The Assembly Rooms, Derby, England. The event featured big-name mainstream, underground and new bands split between two stages, as well as a 'Metal Market' offering general genre merchandise and CDs...
festival in 2003, the first of 3 appearances at the festival with further appearances in 2004 and 2006, supporting acts such as Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
, Primal Fear
Primal Fear (band)
Primal Fear is a German power metal and speed metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers and Mat Sinner . Sinner & Scheepers formed the band after Ralf was not hired as Rob Halford's replacement in Judas Priest...
and Gamma Ray
Gamma Ray (band)
Gamma Ray is a power metal band from Hamburg, northern Germany, founded and fronted by Kai Hansen after his departure from the German power metal Helloween. Hansen is the current lead vocalist, guitarist as well as the chief songwriter of Gamma Ray. The band is known as one of the most prominent...
. The performance introduced the band to Carbon 13 studios based in Runcorn
Runcorn
Runcorn is an industrial town and cargo port within the borough of Halton in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. In 2009, its population was estimated to be 61,500. The town is on the southern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form Runcorn Gap. Directly to the north...
, where they recorded their last EP, the Carbon 13 recordings. This EP was never due for commercial release and was released free to their fans at shows under an agreement with Carbon 13 studios.
From 2006 to 2007, the band went through a number of line up changes, and finally the decision was made to continue as a 4 piece without keyboards, with the band returning to the studio to re-arrange their existing tracks.
The Wrath of the Lambs
In 2008, the band began to focus on their newly recorded album, The Wrath of the LambsThe Wrath of the Lambs
-Personnel:illuminatus*Julio Taylor - Vocals / Guitar*Jon Martin - Guitar*Felix Rullhusen - Drums*Mark Freestone - Bass*Dave Cheeseman - Piano & Keyboards...
, securing the release of the album through AntHill Records with distribution provided by Pinnacle. The album was released on 26 May 2008, receiving good reviews from Room Thirteen and Rock 3 Music magazine. Three videos for the tracks Black and Wait were released in 2008, and another was released in 2009 for Captive State.
To support the release, the band went on tour during July 2008, and secured dates on the UK Leg of Ministry's
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
final UK tour, the C-U-LaTour. Their first full UK and Ireland tour took place in October 2008, supporting LA's My Ruin
My Ruin
My Ruin are a Los Angeles-based hard rock/stoner metal band fronted by Tairrie B , they have been going through various line-up changes since 1999. They have a dedicated fanbase, most notably in the UK...
. and they were billed as main support on Breed77 & Susperia's UK tour in May 2009. Illuminatus were also granted the opportunity to play on three dates in June 2009 as support for Prong
Prong
Prong is an American heavy metal band formed in 1986. Prong had two independent releases, Primitive Origins and Force Fed. The albums attracted the attention of Epic Records, who signed the trio in 1989. The group disbanded in 1997 after the Rude Awakening tour, but re-formed in 2002...
.
Glasnost
The end of 2009 and early 2010 saw Illuminatus return to the studio to start finalising the writing for their second album, GlasnostGlasnost (illuminatus album)
-Personnel:illuminatus*Julio Taylor - Vocals / Guitar*Jon Martin - Guitar*Felix Rullhusen - Drums*Leo Giovazzini - Bass...
. In June 2010, they made a trip over to Hanover, Germany to visit the Institut für Wohlklangforschung and record the new album with Willi Dammeier. The two week recording process was documented by the band on their website. The album was released on the 7 February 2011 and gained highly praised reviews from a number of international magazines and fanzines including Circle Pit, This Is Not A Scene, Pure Rawk and Dead Press A video for Murdocracy was released on 6 May 2011.
In support of the album, the band went on a headline UK tour in February and March, and secured a slot at the 2011 Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
. The band have also announced a three date UK tour with Sworn to Oath, and a European tour with Hawklords
Hawklords
Hawklords were an English music group active between 1978 and 1979. They were borne from the disbanded Hawkwind and a local Devon group named Ark with the addition of former Pilot keyboardist Steve Swindells.The use of the name Hawklords instead of Hawkwind may...
.
Albums
- The Wrath of the LambsThe Wrath of the Lambs-Personnel:illuminatus*Julio Taylor - Vocals / Guitar*Jon Martin - Guitar*Felix Rullhusen - Drums*Mark Freestone - Bass*Dave Cheeseman - Piano & Keyboards...
(Anthill/Pinnacle / 2008) - GlasnostGlasnost (illuminatus album)-Personnel:illuminatus*Julio Taylor - Vocals / Guitar*Jon Martin - Guitar*Felix Rullhusen - Drums*Leo Giovazzini - Bass...
(Headroom Records / 2011)
EPs
- Carbon 13 Recordings (Free Release / 2004)
- Aborted Revolutions EP (Self Released / 2003)
- Suburban Symmetry EP (Self Released / 2002)
- The Rising Tide (Self Released / 2009)