From: "Carlos Lima" <>
>I hope I spelled that right. At any rate, does the band have any sound
samples on the web?
And I answer: You
could find some real-audio samples of "A Story Two Days Wide..." in
the Kinesis page: http://www.kinesiscd.com/as2dw.htm I already have the album and I could say it is, definitely, the
best Iluvatar's so far...
From: "upnsm0ke" <>
By far, their best one yet! One of 1999's top 10. Japanese issues with the bonus
tracks might still be available for only $18 at http://www.pendragonusa.com Ph#
909-784-1712
From: "Wade C. Boring" <>
Subject: Re: Re: Iluvatar
Definitely melodic not metal. The guitar solo from "In Our Lives" on
Children is one of my all time favorites for a written out melodic solo. Very
Hackett and Rothery in style and tone, if you like comparisons. I do think
Children is their strongest work, but I too like them all. Word is that they are
working on a new release. Of course that's been the word for several years now.
From: Chris Bekhuis <>
Subject: Re: Iluvatar
> Maybe my impressions are incorrect after a long year and a half, but I
remember fast guitar licks and staccato drumming like Dream Theatre. Whatever it
was, it drove many people away.
Huh... I think you are probably talking about NF2001 right? In that case you
are referring to Under The Sun.
Iluvatar is no way near metalprog or the stuff you describe above. Instead they
favour a far more melodic sound and in my opinion they are one the only US band
with a convincing neo-prog sound. With this I mean, that they are surely
influenced by both Marillion and Genesis but also manage to add their own twist
to the proceedings. Children is certainly my favourite but I also like their
latest one (A Story Two Days Wide) although this one doesn't sparkle as much as
Children. And I still got a soft spot for the debut album. So... I seem to like
all of them :-)
Shortly after the release of the debut a friend of mine got in touch with them
and subsequently a correspondence was set up between him and the brother of
their guitarplayer. The fact that they would be playing at ProgScape 96 in
Baltimore and the fact that he invited us to stay with him convinced us to come
over. Life changing event as far as I am concerned since I made friends for live
there :-). The guys played a great set (although marred by technical
difficulties). Their set at NF2001 (the second time I saw them play) was solid
but I still think they can do a lot better if they really want to.
From: David Levkovitz <>
Subject: RE: Iluvatar
Their only good CD, IMHO, is Children. I was actually looking forward to their
follow up, but found very boring. I also saw their NearFest set and while it was
not Progmetal, it was emotionally, dynamically, and thematically very
repetitive. I saw them several years before at BajaProg in a very acoustically
poor environment, and their set was the complete opposite of NearFest. And
yes, they do fit the Neoprog mold.
From: David Eric Shur <>
Subject: Re: Iluvatar
> Hello all, someone suggest me to listen to Iluvatar. What do you think
of them?
I'm no fan of theirs. I saw them at NEARfest 2000. They started off their
set with a blast of guitar feedback which was so loud, they drove people away.
They played a blend of metal prog. I didn't like what I heard.
From: "Robertson, Scott" <>
Subject: RE: Iluvatar
Metal Prog! Me thinks you got the wrong impression! Granted, the sound
absolutely SUCKED at NEARfest, but they are about as Metal as Pat Boone (when he
isn't in his "Metal Mood") :) They
are very Neo Prog (which I hate that pigeonhole) along the lines of IQ,
Marillion and others.
From: David Eric Shur <>
Subject: Re: Iluvatar
Maybe my impressions are incorrect after a long year and a half, but I remember
fast guitar licks and staccato drumming like Dream Theatre. Whatever it was, it
drove many people away. My suggestion: approach with caution. From: "Mochaen"
<> Subject: Re: If you do nothing else at this point
(LOTR, no spoiler/off topic for a moment)
From: "jet22p" <>
Subject: Re: Iluvatar
Hmmm, most respondents seem to favor "Children," but "A Story Two
Days Wide" is my favorite. The music has such an uplifting effect on me -
as if I'm soaring like the flying man on the album cover! Others have mentioned
Genesis and Marillion, but I also hear hints of Rush. The guitarist plays the
rhythm parts with single-picked notes through a stereo chorus, similar to Alex
Lifeson's sound in late-70's Rush, and that is a very appealing sound to me!
From: "Luna Negra, S.C." <>
Subject: RE: Iluvatar
I may not be an Iluvafan but I think I've heard almost EVERYTHING from this
band; "Iluvatar", "Children", "Sideshow", "A
Story Two Days Wide", and the tracks included in the Kinesis Samplers as
well as the one in "Baja Prog '98". Of course, I was there.
If I were you, I'd start with "Children". And, no, they're NOT a
progmetal band.