The Illusion of Democracy

Last updated
The Illusion of Democracy
The Illusion of Democracy.jpg
Studio album by
Reflux
ReleasedOctober 12, 2004 [1]
StudioCue Recording Studios, Falls Church, Virginia
Planet Red Studios, Richmond, Virginia
Genre Progressive metalcore [2]
Length53:53
Label Prosthetic
Producer Andreas Magnusson
Reflux chronology
Reflux (demo)
(2001)		The Illusion of Democracy
(2004)

The Illusion of Democracy is the only studio album by American progressive metalcore band Reflux. It was released on October 12, 2004, through Prosthetic Records. [3] Live music videos were released for the songs "Above the Pyramid and the Eye" and "Single File to Bliss".

Contents

The band began working on a second studio album with a targeted release date of spring 2006, [4] but these plans never came to fruition.

Background

Reflux was founded in 2000 by vocalist Ash Avildsen and guitarist Tosin Abasi in Washington, D.C. The band's first line-up would consist of Avildsen and Abasi along with co-vocalist John Mehoves, bassist Evan Brewer, and drummer Dave Lozano. In 2001, the band would begin work on a five-track demo; Lozano would leave during the recording sessions and be replaced by Steve Clifford. Both Mehoves and Clifford would leave the band after the demo's release, with Clifford eventually joining Circa Survive. Vincent Vinh was hired to replace Clifford while Avildsen would become the band's sole vocalist.

Two songs from the demo, "Above the Pyramid and the Eye" and "Single File to Bliss" would be re-recorded for The Illusion of Democracy while "Life Is More Precious Than Land" was re-worked into "An Ode to the Evolution of Human Consciousness."

Legacy

Following the break-up of the band, guitarist Tosin Abasi was approached by Prosthetic to release a solo album, with the project becoming Animals as Leaders. [2] Abasi was hesitant at first, but later agreed, saying "there was a lot about Reflux that was far from my musical ideal. So when Reflux disbanded and I went to school for music, I saw a solo thing as a way to express my voice." [5]

Vocalist Ash Avildsen would go on to establish the record label Sumerian Records in 2006. [6] [7] [8]

Bassist Evan Brewer would go on to join bands such as The Faceless, Fallujah, and Look What I Did. [9] [10] [11]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Can This Even Be Called Music95/100 [12]
Lambgoat8/10 [13]
Sputnikmusic5/5 [14]

In a review for CMJ New Music Report , Amy Sciarretto described the album as "an experiment that never gets boring or predictable," and noted that the band "refused to adhere to a singular style or scene." She commented: "They employ some serious guitar wizardry, precisely built walls of noise and off-the-beaten-path time signatures... but they don't skimp on the melodics, either." [15]

Kirby Unrest of Lambgoat wrote: "A huge part of what makes Reflux not only good, but memorable, is that their immense technical talents do not undermine a dedication to cohesive and flat-out catchy numbers. They don't dumb things down, but Reflux do succeed in maintaining musical bravado, filled with awe-inspiring moments." [13]

Writing for Can This Even Be Called Music, Dæv Tremblay remarked: "Reflux shows above all insane musicianship. Tosin and Evan tappings, fast riffs and constant changes within the songs make them interesting... Lyrics are also worth checking out... there should be more artists like this." [12]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Ash Avildsen and John Mehoves; all music is composed by Reflux

No.TitleLength
1."Above the Pyramid and the Eye"4:15
2."Thoughts Dictate Reality"7:38
3."An Ode to the Evolution of Human Consciousness"3:59
4."The Sudden Realization..."6:33
5."...Of What You Were Missing"4:02
6."-=[*]=-" (Instrumental)4:17
7."Single File to Bliss"5:39
8."There's No Sunlight In My Cubicle"4:39
9."The Keats Persona"5:35
10."1984-2004" (Instrumental)1:14
11."Modern Day Babylon"6:02

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic: [16]

Reflux
Additional musicians
Production

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atreyu</span> American metalcore band

Atreyu is an American metalcore band from Yorba Linda, California, formed in 1998. The band currently consists of clean vocalist Brandon Saller, guitarists Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel, bassist and unclean vocalist Marc "Porter" McKnight, and drummer Kyle Rosa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darkest Hour (band)</span> American metal band

Darkest Hour is an American heavy metal band from Washington, D.C., formed in 1995. Though failing to break through early in their tenure, the band has received acclaim for their albums Undoing Ruin, Deliver Us, and The Eternal Return. Deliver Us debuted at number 110 on the Billboard album charts, with sales of 6,600, and their more recent effort The Eternal Return garnered them an even higher position in the Billboard album charts at number 104. Their latest album Godless Prophets & the Migrant Flora charted at 42 on the Billboard 200, a peak for the band, and it marked a stylistic shift in the band's discography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Every Time I Die</span> American metalcore band

Every Time I Die was an American metalcore band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1998. For most of the band's career, the line-up was centred on brothers Keith (vocals) and Jordan Buckley (guitar), as well as rhythm guitarist Andy Williams, with bassist Stephen Micciche also being in the band for a cumulative 15 of the bands 24 years. After spending the first decade of their career on the Ferret Music label, they signed with Epitaph Records in 2008 and remained there until their split in early 2022. Every Time I Die released nine studio albums, with their final album Radical being released in October 2021.

Diecast is an American metalcore band originating from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suicide Silence</span> American deathcore band

Suicide Silence is an American deathcore band from Riverside, California. The band was established in 2002, and has released seven studio albums, three EPs, and nineteen music videos. They were awarded the Revolver Golden God award for "Best New Talent" in 2009. The group currently consists of guitarists Chris Garza and Mark Heylmun, bassist Dan Kenny, vocalist Hernan "Eddie" Hermida and drummer Ernie Iniguez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evan Brewer</span> American bassist

Evan Brewer is an American musician from Nashville, Tennessee. He is the current bassist of Entheos and Fallujah and formerly played bass for The Faceless. He has also been involved in other bands such as Reflux and the last bassist to be a part of Animosity. He also released two solo albums under his own name. In 2011, he released his debut solo album titled Alone, and his second solo album, Your Itinerary, was released on July 16, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Faceless</span> American technical death metal band

The Faceless are an American technical death metal band from the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. They released their debut album, Akeldama, in November 2006, and a follow-up, Planetary Duality, in November 2008. The band's third album, Autotheism, was released on August 14, 2012. On December 1, 2017, the band released their fourth album, In Becoming a Ghost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animals as Leaders</span> American instrumental progressive metal band

Animals as Leaders is an American instrumental progressive metal band from Los Angeles, California. It currently consists of guitarists Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes, and drummer Matt Garstka, having been formed by Abasi in 2007. They are a prominent band within the djent scene. Prosthetic Records released the band's eponymous debut album in 2009. They have since released the albums Weightless (2011), The Joy of Motion (2014), The Madness of Many (2016), and Parrhesia (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tosin Abasi</span> American guitarist

Oluwatosin Ayoyinka OlumideAbasi, is an American musician, best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders. He has recorded and released five albums with Animals as Leaders: a self-titled debut, Weightless, The Joy of Motion, The Madness of Many, and their most recent album, Parrhesia.

<i>Animals as Leaders</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Animals as Leaders

Animals as Leaders is the debut studio album by American instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders. It was released on April 28, 2009 by Prosthetic Records. In 2015, a reissue titled Animals as Leaders – Encore Edition was released with bonus tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Born of Osiris</span> American progressive metalcore band

Born of Osiris is an American progressive metalcore band formed in 2003 in Palatine, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Ronnie Canizaro, lead guitarist Lee McKinney, rhythm guitarist/bassist Nick Rossi, drummer Cameron Losch, and keyboardist/vocalist Joe Buras. Born of Osiris has played at various festivals including the Summer Slaughter Tour and the Music as a Weapon Tour 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sumerian Records</span> American record label

Sumerian Records is an American record label based in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and London. The label was founded in 2006 by Ash Avildsen. They have signed artists such as Black Veil Brides, Crosses, Poppy, Bad Omens, Animals As Leaders, and I See Stars. In early 2022, Sumerian acquired Behemoth Entertainment, a comic book and video game publisher, in order to increase their merchandise options and further expand the brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veil of Maya</span> American metalcore band

Veil of Maya is an American metalcore band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 2004. The group consists of guitarist Marc Okubo, drummer Sam Applebaum, bassist Danny Hauser and vocalist Lukas Magyar. They are currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released seven studio albums. Their seventh studio album, Mother, was released on May 12, 2023.

<i>Celestial Completion</i> 2011 studio album by Becoming the Archetype

Celestial Completion is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Becoming the Archetype, released on March 29, 2011 through Solid State Records.

<i>The Joy of Motion</i> 2014 studio album by Animals as Leaders

The Joy of Motion is the third studio album by American instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders. It was released on March 24, 2014, in Europe, March 25, 2014, in North America and on March 28, 2014, in Australia and New Zealand by Sumerian Records. The entire album was previously made available on YouTube on March 19, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erra (band)</span> American progressive metalcore band

Erra is an American progressive metalcore band from Birmingham, Alabama, formed in 2009. The band was named after the homonymous Akkadian god of war and plague. The band has released five studio albums and three EPs to date. Their latest album, titled Erra, was released on March 19, 2021. They have toured with bands such as As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, TesseracT, Born of Osiris, Ice Nine Kills, Glass Cloud, Within the Ruins, Bad Omens, I See Stars, and Texas in July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fit for an Autopsy</span> American deathcore band

Fit for an Autopsy is an American deathcore band from Jersey City, New Jersey, formed in 2008. The band consists of guitarists Pat Sheridan, Will Putney and Tim Howley, drummer Josean Orta, vocalist Joe Badolato, and bassist Peter "Blue" Spinazola. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast and have released six studio albums since formation.

<i>The Madness of Many</i> 2016 studio album by Animals as Leaders

The Madness of Many is the fourth studio album by American instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders. It was released on November 11, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kneel Before Me</span> 2018 dubstep single

"Kneel Before Me" is a song by American DJs Slander and Crankdat, featuring the English rock band Asking Alexandria. It was released on August 9, 2018 by Monstercat and Sumerian Records and was included a week later on the compilation album Monstercat Uncaged, Vol. 5.

<i>Hit Paraders No Cover</i> American TV series or program

Hit Parader's No Cover is a music competition television show produced by Hit Parader. Unlike other music competitions, contestants must perform their own original compositions. The first season aired in April 2022 on Sumerian Records YouTube channel. The competition had Alice Cooper, Lzzy Hale, Gavin Rossdale, Tosin Abasi and Bishop Briggs as judges.

References

  1. ↑ "Reflux - The Illusion of Democracy". AllMusic . Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Politte, Elliott. "Tosin Abasi: 8-String Animal". Guitar Edge. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  3. ↑ "The Illusion of Democracy | Reflux". Bandcamp . Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Reflux begin work on new album". Lambgoat. October 11, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  5. ↑ Allyn, Bobby (February 9, 2009). "Q&A: Animals As Leaders." Washington City Paper .
  6. ↑ "Label Profile: Sumerian Records". Alternative Press #263 (June 2010), p. 38.
  7. ↑ "VEIL OF MAYA Signs With SUMERIAN RECORDS Archived 2011-06-06 at the Wayback Machine ", Blabbermouth.net, January 11, 2008, retrieved August 8, 2023
  8. ↑ "FELLSILENT Inks U.S. Deal With SUMERIAN RECORDS Archived 2011-06-06 at the Wayback Machine ", Blabbermouth.net, October 1, 2008, retrieved August 8, 2023
  9. ↑ “The Faceless Announces New Bassist April 7, 2011. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  10. ↑ wookubus (April 26, 2022). "Fallujah Announce New Album And Lineup, Stream "Radiant Ascension"". Theprp. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Look What I Did Joined By Bassist Evan Brewer" . Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  12. 1 2 Tremblay, Dæv (July 23, 2012). "Reflux – The Illusion of Democracy (2004)". Can This Even Be Called Music. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  13. 1 2 Unrest, Kirby (February 12, 2005). "REFLUX 'Illusion of Democracy' Album Review". Lambgoat. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  14. ↑ Gerhart, Thompson D. (July 29, 2009). "Review: Reflux - The Illusion Of Democracy". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  15. ↑ Sciarretto, Amy (October 25, 2004). "Loud Rock". CMJ New Music Report. p. 17 – via Google Books.
  16. ↑ "The Illusion of Democracy - Reflux | Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved August 8, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.