ILLUCIA is a three-piece Heavy Metal band from India. Formed in 2014, they've worked on getting everything right for this release. "A New Reign" is their debut full-length LP. It was self-released on June 11, 2022. The style of the record is very much in line with classic Heavy Metal, using catchy riffs and heavy rhythms to support lyrics that are either angry or provide warnings of things to come in typical Heavy Metal fashion.

"Fateful Night" is a moderate tempo song with some really good work on the guitar. The bass is set to a nice gallop, carrying the tempo well. The drums are fast and fit the song well, not outrunning or lagging behind the riff. ILLUCIA makes good use of the left and right channels to have different guitar tones hitting each ear at the same time.

Storm sounds open the song "Clap of Thunder" along with some eerie, discordant guitar tones before the riff arrives. Here, each ear gets the same phrase from the guitar, just in different registers. This song is tied with "Slaves of The Land" for longest on the record at just under six minutes. Both are melodic, guitar driven tracks with heavy, galloping rhythms. "Slaves Of the Land" also has ballad-like sections that offer a different side of the band. The build is well done, and the layered vocals give the song a lot of depth as far as composition.

"The Fortress of Gold" is one of the faster, heavier tracks overall. The drums stand out on this one with some excellent little variations in the pattern showing the technical skill of Srivatsa Balaji. He transitions the song from section to section beautifully, shifting gears expertly.

"The Chosen One" has a short intro that really reminds me of old-school LIZZY BORDEN. Vineesh Venugopal's vocals have a tone similar to the one's used on "Menace to Society" or "Love You To Pieces". I love that throwback sound, whether it was intentional or not.

Wrapping the record, we get "The Ritual... A New Reign." There is a very melodic intro the comes across much like some early SEPULTURA work. There are different phases to this track, going abck and forth from melodic to heavy. At five minutes long, there is more time to work this style of writing in and give it the attention it deserves. Nitin M Charles shines on all of the various bass and guitars he plays for this track, going from acoustic to electric and layering in a bass line that hovers under the riff like a stalking lion.

ILLUCIA is an up-and-coming band that hails from a region that has been steadily growing in popularity. India's burgeoning metal scene is a wonder to behold. There are now festivals held yearly and the local music scene is going global. And much like the rest of the world, there is a wide array of influences that are now shining through, making glorious comebacks, and pushing the genres forward. ILLUCIA's return to the glory days of Heavy Metal with a new attitude and ferocity is amazing to hear!