Despite having a long history through three decades while entering a fourth, Greek heavy metal band ILLUSORY proves they still have it in them with their third full-length "Crimson Wreath". Starting out in 1992 under the name "The Ivory Tower", bassist Costas Haralampidis and vocalist and sometimes guitarist Dee Theodorou were just two friends who used to jam on top of their building. Along with drummer Theodore Pitsikas, the trio released their first three song EP "Society" in 1994. Almost a decade later, they would add full time guitarist George Papantonis for a demo of two covers - SURVIVOR's "Eye of the Tiger" and solo Bruce Dickinson's early 90s track "Tears of the Dragon". They would have another members shuffle by 2005's "A Few Days Eternity" EP, but the real change happened with 2006 and self-titled full-length in 2006. This would be the pivot for the band.

They returned in 2013 under new name ILLUSORY, would re-record and re-release their "The Ivory Tower" with updated sections and production. The first edition would sell out and brought with it a ton of enthusiasm for the band and their fans. Nicknaming themselves the "Ivories" - a nod to their former name - they sparked the attention of German label 7hard/7us media group and were able to produce and release their second album "Polysyllabic" in 2016 from the partnership. Solidifying their sound with their new album, it carried them through many tours throughout Greece and even landed them an opening slot for the Geoff Tate/Queensryche offshoot band OPERATION MINDCRIME. 2020 would find ILLUSORY ready to release their third album. Inking a new deal with up and coming and promising label, Rockshot Records, the "Ivories" are ready to hit 2021 strong with "Crimson Wealth". Seemingly having a pretty solid foundation with longtime guitarist George Papantonis, bassist since the name change Niki Danos, drummer Coustas Koulis since shortly after "The Ivory Tower" was first recorded in 2006, with fresh guitarist Greg Bakos and keyboardist Makis Vandoros alongside Dee Theodorou - keeping trucking with the vision since 1992 - the band seems stacked and stronger than they ever were in the new decade.

With their third official album ILLUSORY are completely comfortable with their sound and texture and "Crimson Wreath" presents a band that seems almost overconfident in who they are after a nearly 30 year history in some form or another. The tracks that work are great, an unrelenting example of pure battle ready heavy metal. Lead single and album opener "Besetting Sins" with high speed energy, IRON MAIDEN and DIO references, and captivating melodic riffs sets the tone well. But with hits weighty runtime at nearly 80 minutes, it has some bloat, like the tired and sappy ballad that is the title track and the power ballad "St. Forsaken" with its repetitive intro section, two guitar solos, and a climax that is reached fairly early and stays at the same energy level more most of the rest of the song. The lyrical subject matter, however, is quite heavy from harrowing experiences on the battlefield to a soldier mentally unraveling from PTSD, giving the album an air of significance. Unfortunately, the music isn't always of the same caliber and an otherwise great album falls a bit short of being amazing.