Dark Illusion
Beyond the Shadows

Release date: September 21st 2005
Label:
Battlefield Records
Provided by:
Battlefield Records

Website: www.darkillusion.se

Style:
Heavy Metal

Rating: 92/100
Reviewed by:
Jørgen Ditlev
Date:
March 12th 2006

The history of Dark Illusion goes all the way back to 1982 where the band was founded. Between 1983 and 1985 the band played live in the Stockholm area, and they released two demo tapes. In 1985 the band split up, almost twenty years later Dark Illusion has see the light of day once again.

Dark Illusion resurfaced in 2003 with an EP called “For Just another Night”, and now they are back with their first full length CD. Dark Illusion are fronted by none other than Thomas Vikström ex- Candlemass, Brazen Abbot, Stormwind & Talk of the Town, Thomas has one of the best voices in the scene for Melodic / Classic Metal.

The bass are handled by Pontus Egberg ex- Lions Share & Section A, Thomas Hultqvist and Niklas Tengblad is handling the guitars while Jonas Östman are beating the drums.

When you place “Beyond the Shadows” in your CD player then be ready to take a giant leap back in time, cause Dark Illusion are heavily inspired by Saxon, Iron Maiden, Accept, Scorpions & Rainbow.

Some of the tracks on “Beyond the Shadows” are actually from the above-mentioned demo tapes. This CD are just filled with killer tracks such as “Night Knight”, “Child of the Night”, “Warrior” and “Power of the Evil” all written in the eighties, but some of the newer tracks such as “Weeper Deeper”, “Break the Chains” & “Warlord of the Night” are also great.

“Beyond the Shadows” are one of those albums where everything seems to fit, the music is great, and the production and the cover artwork are just exceptional.

Hopefully it won’t take twenty years before Dark Illusion unleashes the next album.  

Recommended tracks: “Child of the Night”, “Warrior” & “Warlord of the Night”.