I discovered the Greeks of 'Sedate Illusion' in 2016 with their 5th album 'Glass Delusion' (the first 2 albums are not on Spotify but available on you tube here and here) and, at the time, they had made me a strong impression. 2020 therefore sees the release of ‘Ungod Me’ and they have further evolved from its predecessor by offering us an album with impeccable production worthy of the greatest progressive groups mixing rock and metal. This is a concept album that deals with criticism of religion in the broad sense of which its representatives claim to be above the law and from the outset, with the short spoken introduction, the theme is given.
'Perspective', which opens the album, is one of 4 tracks of more than 8 minutes that takes us on an inventive progressive style alternating power and calm like this beautiful passage in the 3rd minute with religious choirs mixed with electronic sounds in which comes to be grafted a beautiful guitar solo then which gains momentum for a powerful final with an accessible melodic frame in which 'Vangelis Kakarougkas', which has almost shown us his talent as a singer, shows us that of keyboardist. After this first remarkable title, 'Descending' continues on this solid path with a new composition of more than 8 minutes which continues to alternate contrasting atmospheres with melodic lines always accessible and a magnificent final in crescendo in which 'Vangelis Kakarougkas' always repeat the same sentence. Without transition the third title of more than 8 minutes 'Ellipsism' rolls out with always the same energy but then brings quieter passages with an acoustic guitar and the whole makes me think of a mixture between the two groups of 'Steven Wilson', 'Porpcupine Tree' and 'Blackfield' (see last album here). With the powerful 'Forever' that follows, we move away from the progressive and it is certainly the most accessible title of the album with a classic verse/chorus construction and a melody in the chorus that never leaves you, then, 'Rain' is also in this same register with two suberb solos of keyboards and guitar. With 'Reach The Sun', the last track of more than 8 minutes, the slow tempo of the beginning makes one think of 'Blackfield' and it is undoubtedly the most contrasted track with alternations between calm parts and others which explode in a heavy power with then frequent enough rhythm changes to finish on the heavy tempo of the beginning with a beautiful melody taken up in choruses and the last title 'Withered Roses' is a cover of the album '0545' of 2010 which already showed the undeniable talent of this group.
In summary, this last album of the Greeks of 'Sedate Illusion' confirms all the good point that I thought of them : 'Ungod Me' is a very good surprise for this beginning of 2020 and should reach a whole audience of metal fans of melodic and accessible progressive...
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