Canadian melodic metallers BOREALIS have announced the release of their fifth studio album, entitled “Illusions”, which will be out on October 7, 2022 via AFM Records.
With their critically acclaimed debut in 2008, BOREALIS took the heavy music scene by storm, and seen them opening for several metal greats such as Epica, Sonata Artica, Saxon or Kamelot to name just a few. Four years since 2018’s “The Offering”, BOREALIS returns with their brand new magnum opus, arguably marking the bands most complete album to date while adding more orchestral elements and darker themes. The album not only introduces composer and multi-instrumentalist Vikram Shankar (Silent Skies, Redemption, Lux Terminus), who was brought in to compose all of the orchestra and synth elements, but “Illusions” is also a continuation of the story from “The Offering”, taking place years later through the eyes of the children and how the traumatic events they experienced has shaped their lives.
“We are so excited to release this new record, considering how long it’s been and what the world has been through over the last 2 years!“ Singer and guitarist Matt Marinelli comments. “With the extra time we had with this one, we feel like these are some of the best songs we’ve ever written. Some of the songs were written way back in 2019 so we’ve had time to really perfect them.”
Following the previously released, first single, ‘Pray For Water’, BOREALIS have just shared a second album sneak peak, with a colossal music video for new track “Ashes Turn To Rain”. Watch it below.
“It’s only taken us 15 years, but we’re finally releasing our first official music video for our next single off of ‘Illusions’ called Ashes Turn To Rain,” says guitarist Ken Fobert. “Being our first video, we wanted to do something a little special for it. It’s not only a band-performance video for ‘Ashes Turn To Rain,’ with the help of our director, Jeremy Tredenick (JReelVisuals), we also incorporated a story-line and visuals to accompany the self-titled opening track for the album. The video features Scandinavian film composer and vocalist, Christine Hals, who not only contributed her unique primal scream vocals but a stunning mountaintop performance as well. Ya! It’s pretty epic and we can’t wait for everyone to see it!.
About the band’s sound development and their cooperation with Vikram, guitarist Ken Fobert explains: “We had been fans of Vik’s music and content for years and with this album, we really wanted to bring it to another level. We didn’t want to do the same old thing this time around with just adding strings and orchestra. We did do that, but we also wanted to incorporate more synth elements and weird futuristic sounds to give these songs a bit of a different vibe and character than what you would typically expect from us. I think with the phenomenal composing that Vik did for these songs, we were able to achieve that.”
“Illusions” was produced by BOREALIS, engineered and mixed by the band‘s drummer, Sean Dowell, and was mastered by Thomas “Plec ” Johansson. Slated for a release on October 7th, the album pre-sale is now available at THIS LOCATION
“Illusion”Album Artwork
“Illusions” track listing:
1. Illusions (Feat. Christine Hals)
2. Ashes Turn To Rain
3. My Fortress
4. Pray For Water
5. Burning Tears (Feat. Lynsey Ward)
6. Believer
7. Light Of The Sun
8. Face Of Reality
9. Bury Me Alive
10. Abandon All Hope
11. The Phantom Silence
BOREALIS is:
- Matt Marinelli / Vocals & Guitars
- Ken Fobert / Guitars
- Aiden Watkinson / Bass
- Sean Dowell / Drums
