Released through Progress Records, Hunting For Significance is Illumion's debut
release and the brain child of Eveline van Kampen, who not only plays all the
guitars on the album, she composed all eleven tracks. Whilst that would
therefore suggest that she would steal the show throughout, her understated and
intricate playing actually underpins everything else that is going on, although
there are many occasions where her playing shines. In fact vocalist Esther
Ladiges who came to prominence when she won a web competition to sing on one of
Arjen Luccasen's Ayreon project albums is the focal point on much of this
gently symphonic, progressive rock album.
Ladiges possesses an interesting voice with a lot of depth, however there are times
where she comes across a bit like Kate Bush without the "wow". Having
said that the vocals on "Into the Labyrinth" or
"Metamorphosis", which sees her mix her Bush leanings with a bit of
gentle Tarja demonstrate both the variety and emotion that this style of music
requires to hit home. Both of the afore mentioned songs are among the strongest
on show, "Into the Labyrinth" in particular shines brightly with a
strong Marillion circa Fugazi feel, where "Metamorphosis" has a more
grandiose, mysterious approach mixing Ladiges vocals and van Kampen's guitars
beautifully with guest musician Annemieke de Boer's excellent keyboards and
Peter H. Boer's pumping bass line.
Lyrically the songs are inspired by a mixture of van Kampen's travels and books by authors
such as Oscar Wilde, Franz Kafka, Edgar Allan Poe or William Blake and in truth
can be a bit cumbersome and "clunky" at times. A perfect example of
this is the opening lines from album opener "Encomium";
"Depurate the air with lies, Deracinate the trees with rice, Immoral poets
devocalized, While perdition is at rise" which is too convoluted for my
tastes. However when the words and musical performances do come together the
results are really well worth consideration. "Prophecy" is one such
moment where Ladiges seems more comfortable with the words and along with one
of the simplest, catchiest riffs on the whole album has focus and drive that
can be lacked elsewhere.
The musicianship right across the whole album is impressive and tight, drummer
Emile Boellaard certainly knows how to play for the song, avoiding any
temptation to overplay and dominate proceedings, instead his performance is
subtle without being plain and is a joy to listen to. That's not to suggest
that any of the band over play their hand and credit is also due to keyboardist
Eveline Simons who's playing holds the whole thing together with gentle
melodies and interesting stabs which really enhances the overall sound.
As debuts go, Hunting For Significance is a good effort, what I would suggest is more
use of light and shade could have moved the songs onto the next level as there are
not quite enough really memorable moments to stick in the mind and a punchier
production could maybe have solved this issue. Too often you are left waiting
for a stronger, heavier riff or more dramatic vocal.
Not a fantastic album, but one that leaves me strongly intrigued as to what album number
two will sound like.
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Points: 3 out of 5