Illyria incorporated traditional post-black metal conventions into their 2016 self-titled debut album, which is generally regarded highly by global press and fans alike. Illyria released their sophomore album “The Carpathian Summit” in 2019. The album retains Illyria’s identifiable post-blackened style, but with more progressive elements. The second full-length was well received by local and global audiences allowing the band to reach over 250,000 streams with supported singles ‘Kenopsia’ and ‘Wilderness’ leading the front.
After an intense pandemic period in 2020, the band released a new single "Frostbite" showcasing a new guitarist line-up featuring Stephen Barrett and Andre Avila on guitars following the departures of Blacklock and Warren. In 2021, Stajić had relocated to Humpty Doo, Northern Territory due to work and family commitments. The band was restructured as a solo-project again which saw all Perth-based members moving on. "In The Arms Of Persephone" was released in February 2022 to celebrate the 'end of an era' as a band as well as to brace listeners for Illyria's future musical endeavours.
The band's third full-length "Take Me Somewhere Beautiful" released on the 7th October 2022. It was a bold move steering away from beginnings with less influence from black metal territory and solely embracing post-hardcore & punk influences. With Stajić moving back to his home state in Western Australia, Illyria has forged a new line-up reuniting with Avila on rhythm guitar, Harry Prosser on lead guitar, Jeffrey Anderson playing bass and Cam Stone-Griffin with percussion duties.
Illyria present their next single Pragma to the world with an accompanied music video on 17/11/2023. The quintet are fearless with their approach blending metal styles within their discography and Pragma solidifies that with its triumphant clash between organic and synthetic elements. With blackened blast beat sections, progressive bass grooves and even an improvised organ solo, the Australians are once again challenging the world for their unique take on metal.
Wilderness
Illyria Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She craved on your weakness and tainted your innocence
Violence and bloodshed, is what she injected
You suckled on her breast for answers
You laid your head on there for comfort
And fed on her knowledge of deception
And misguided of what you know
I hope you learn not to believe everything you hear and everything you see
Blinded by light before your eyes - it always shrouds to darkness and you fail the sight of peace
It's all so easy; they'll keep surviving after all
The price of beauty; it's not for sale when there's war
In these lyrics, the singer is addressing someone who they have lost to the influence of a "mistress". This mistress is described as having manipulated and tainted the innocence of the person being addressed, injecting them with "violence and bloodshed". The person being addressed is described as having sought answers and comfort from this mistress, feeding on their "knowledge of deception" and being misguided in what they perceive to be true. The singer warns them not to believe everything they hear and see, as the light can blind them to the darkness and prevent them from seeing peace. They also highlight the cost of war and how it is not worth sacrificing beauty for.
These lyrics can be interpreted as a commentary on the dangers of falling prey to those who seek to manipulate and deceive us. The mistress in the song represents a force that is capable of corrupting and perverting even the most innocent and pure intentions. The singer urges the listener to be vigilant and not to blindly trust what they see or hear, as doing so can lead them down a path of violence and destruction.
Overall, the lyrics to "Wilderness" are insightful and thought-provoking, offering a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling prey to deception and manipulation.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I lost you, to the mistress
I am aware that you are no longer mine, as you have chosen another, a seductive and ruthless woman
She craved on your weakness and tainted your innocence
The mistress preyed on you in a moment of vulnerability, leading you astray from virtue and harming your purity
Violence and bloodshed, is what she injected
The mistress instilled in you a love for conflict and brutality, corrupting your once peaceful nature
You suckled on her breast for answers
You sought guidance and understanding from the mistress, as if she were your maternal figure
You laid your head on there for comfort
You sought solace and emotional support from the mistress, resting your head on her bosom
And fed on her knowledge of deception
You absorbed the mistress's insights on deceit, learning how to manipulate and misinform others
And misguided of what you know
You have been led astray from what you once knew to be true and right
Like a pawn you were played for death
You were treated like a mere pawn in the mistress's game of power, and your fate was left to chance
I hope you learn not to believe everything you hear and everything you see
I hope you realize that not everything is as it seems, and that you should be wary of trusting your senses and what others tell you
Blinded by light before your eyes - it always shrouds to darkness and you fail the sight of peace
You were dazzled by the mistress's alluring aura, but it has since obscured your vision of serenity and led you to a darker path
It's all so easy; they'll keep surviving after all
War may seem like a simple solution, but there will always be survivors left to bear the burden
The price of beauty; it's not for sale when there's war
The cost of committing to conflict and violence is too high to sacrifice the notions of beauty and love
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Ilija Stajic
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vika Vika
Awesome band
Awesome music
Awesome video
How I love this band
❤️🇧🇷🔥
Daniel
Daora memo
Matheus M. Alves
Lembra Alcest
Soro Nir
I like to imagine that instead of a fog machine there's just someone vaping really hard on set.
Port Hedland
Music, Film Clip, Lyrics ALL on point enjoy the ride Illyria can't wait for what happens next \m/
LaughingMan
Big hit to the feels with this one. Keep on keeping on, lads.
Brad Leeming
I legit thought you guys were a hectic band from Sweden after hearing you in my "release radar" on spotify, I couldn't believe it when I found out you were Aussie. Fucking amazing song/band, merch was an instant buy. ps. Please get some long sleeve shirts going on! Hope to see you touring Brisbane at some point.
Frostveil Aus
Its actually taking the piss how good you guys are!! Jesus...
Magnos Borgeduff
This is perfect, best band ♥️♥️♥️
Klaforcito
thanks for this great song guys ♥️