An Abstract Illusion

An Abstract Illusion
Origin	Boden, Norrbotten, Sweden
Genres	Progressive death metal, melodic death metal, atmospheric black metal
Years active	2007-present
Labels	Willowtip
Members	Robert Stenvall Karl Westerlund Christian Berglönn Isak Nilsson
Past members	Daniel Johansson Fredrik Kruse Martin Strandell Tobias Larsson Hugo Larsson Marcus Ek

An Abstract Illusion are a Swedish progressive death metal band. They have released three studio albums and an EP.

History

Since forming in 2007, An Abstract Illusion released an EP in 2014 titled Atonement is Nigh and their independent debut album Illuminate the Path, the latter having been released on 27 July 2016 and featuring a cover of "Svartesmeden och Lundamyrstrollet" by Windir. ^{[1] [2]}

In 2022, the band announced that they have been signed to Willowtip Records. ^[3] Their second album and first one with the label, Woe was released on 9 September 2022. ^[4] The album has received positive feedback from reviewers. ^{[5] [6]} Singles were released for the tracks "Slaves" ^[7] and "In the Heavens Above, You Will Become a Monster". ^[8]

Their third album, The Sleeping City, was released on 17 October 2025. ^[9] The album has also received positive feedback. ^{[10] [11]} Singles were released for the tracks "No Dreams Beyond Empty Horizons" ^{[12] [13] [14]} and "Emmett". ^{[15] [16]}

Musical style

An Abstract Illusion are an extreme metal band ^{[5] [11]} known for their "atmospheric death metal" sound, ^{[2] [4] [6]} but they are more specifically described as progressive metal, ^{[3] [4] [10] [5] [11]} progressive death metal, ^{[1] [9] [10] [5] [11]} black metal, ^{[4] [6] [10]} melodic death metal, ^{[3] [9] [5] [11]} death metal, ^[10] and progressive rock. ^[6]

Members

Source: ^[17]

Current Robert Stenvall – keyboards, clean vocals (2007–present) Karl Westerlund – guitars (2007–present), bass (2015–present) Christian Berglönn – drums (2010–2020), harsh vocals (2014–present) Isak Nilsson – drums (live member: 2020–2024, full-time member: 2024–present) Live Lukas Backeström - drums (2014–2015), bass, clean vocals (2020–present) Simon Burström - guitars (2020–present) Former Daniel Johansson – drums (2007–2010) Fredrik Kruse – bass (2007–2008), harsh vocals (2007–2012) Martin Strandell – guitars (2007–2014), harsh vocals (2012–2014) Tobias Larsson – bass (2008–2014) Hugo Larsson – bass (2014–2015) Marcus Ek – guitars (2014–2015)

Guests Lukas Backeström - violin (on "Blomsterkrans"), bassoon (on "This Torment Has No End, Only New Beginnings"), clean vocals (on The Sleeping City) Leith Ajob - drums (on Woe) Sarkawt Karlsson - clarinet (on "Tear Down This Holy Mountain") Carolina Teruel - cello (on "Blomsterkrans") Lovisa Strindell - clean vocals (on "In the Heavens Above, You Will Become a Monster") Jonathan Miranda-Figueroa - cello (on "Like a Geyser Ever Erupting", "Frost Flower", and "The Sleeping City") Dawn Ye - violin (on "Like a Geyser Ever Erupting" and "The Sleeping City") Flavia Fontana - violin (on "Frost Flower") Elsa Svensson - clean vocals (on "Silverfields")

Discography

Source: ^[18]

• Atonement Is Nigh (EP) (11 August 2014)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Sun Will Bleach All Bones"	16:38
2.	"Rain"	7:21
3.	"Chameleon of the Clouds"	7:50
Total length:		31:49

• Illuminate the Path (27 July 2016)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Breathe. Create. Beauty."	3:03
2.	"Abode of a God"	9:29
3.	"Drop This Planet of Dust"	6:54
4.	"Illuminate the Path"	11:29
5.	"Vakuum"	11:13
6.	"Talvatis"	2:19
7.	"Skeletons of Light"	16:20
8.	"Svartesmeden och Lundamyrstrollet (Windir cover)"	8:53
Total length:		69:40

• Woe (9 September 2022)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Behemoth That Lies Asleep"	3:22
2.	"Slaves"	7:23
3.	"Tear Down This Holy Mountain"	11:33
4.	"Prosperity"	7:38
5.	"Blomsterkrans"	5:50
6.	"In the Heavens Above, You Will Become a Monster"	14:28
7.	"This Torment Has No End, Only New Beginnings"	9:32
Total length:		59:46

• The Sleeping City (17 October 2025)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Blackmurmur"	11:00
2.	"No Dreams Beyond Empty Horizons"	8:13
3.	"Like a Geyser Ever Erupting"	7:58
4.	"Frost Flower"	8:14
5.	"Emmett"	11:19
6.	"Silverfields"	3:46
7.	"The Sleeping City"	10:07
Total length:		60:37

References

1. An Abstract Illusion - Stream Windir Cover
2. AN ABSTRACT ILLUSION: Track and info for “Illuminate the Path”
3. An Abstract Illusion - From Now On Part Of Willowtip Records
4. AN ABSTRACT ILLUSION: The Swedish band to Release "Woe" On Willowtip in September
5. An Abstract Illusion - Woe review
6. An Abstract Illusion - Woe - Metal Temple Magazine
7. An Abstract Illusion - Sophomore Album On The Way
8. AN ABSTRACT ILLUSION: second track from the new progressive death metal album “Woe”
9. "An Abstract Illusion - Detail Upcoming Third Album" . Retrieved November 11, 2025.
10. "An Abstract Illusion – The Sleeping City - Metal Temple Magazine" . Retrieved November 11, 2025.
11. "An Abstract Illusion - The Sleeping City review" . Retrieved November 11, 2025.
12. "NEWS: An Abstract Illusion live in a world without dreams..." Retrieved November 11, 2025.
13. An Abstract Illusion - Release New Single access 2025-11-11, date 2025-07-31
14. AN ABSTRACT ILLUSION Announce New Album The Sleeping City, Streams Proggy First Single access 2025-11-11, date 2025-08-04
15. "AN ABSTRACT ILLUSION: second single from the new progressive death metal album "The Sleeping City"" . Retrieved November 11, 2025.
16. An Abstract Illusion - Premiere 'Emmett' Track & Lyric Video access 2025-11-11, date 2025-09-18
17. "An Abstract Illusion". Metal Storm . Retrieved 2025-11-11.
18. "An Abstract Illusion - Discography". Metal Storm . Retrieved 2025-11-11.