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    The Phantom Tollbooth 2003/Illuminandi
    Illuminandi — Demo II cover

    Illuminandi

    Demo II

    (2002)

    Reviewed by Brian A. Smith

    Discogs
    Label independentThe Phantom Tollbooth2003
    progressive metalspeed metalstoner rock

    OK, I know that normally review all of the "miscellaneous" discs here at the Tollbooth, but I can truly say that Demo II defies any of the normal classifications we use here. So, if you are looking for a Christian progressive stoner rock album, this album is for you. Oh, and the lyrics are almost all in Polish.

    Song 1, "Kto mnie wyzwoli...?" sounds like Alice in Chains, Dream Theater, Metallica, and Kansas were mixed in a blender, but not completely. Bits and pieces of each group poke their head out from time to time, without warning.

    Song 2 has the only English lyrics. Entitled "The Light", it is almost a word for word reading of Isaiah 9:1-6. Take speed metal a la Anthrax, add a violin and cello, and you get the idea.

    "...wiec My..." closes the disc, employing a stereotypical hardcore growling/grunting vocal that ruins the effect of the music, which is actually pretty good.

    Musically, Illuminandi works fairly well. The vocals vary from song to song, with four contributors. Of course, not speaking Polish makes it difficult to fairly evaluate this disc.

    2.5 tocks

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