There has been silence around INFINITE HORIZON for a long time. Their second and third record was well received and rated on our magazine; the band’s last effort so far, Dominion, passed us unattended. Now, eight years later, after many up and downs and perfectly timed to the band’s 20th anniversary, INFINITE HORIZON return with their fifth full-length Illumination: “We are still here and never have been gone away”.
The first minutes of listening make clear why the band was so well received: driving melodies, powerful riffwork and unobtrusive keyboard lines along with catchy refrains and the distinct voice and singing of Marc M. Lemler. The music feels familiar in a twinkling of an eye and gets stuck. INFINITE HORIZON seamlessly pick up where Dominion was left off in 2009, as if the last 8 years wouldn’t exist. Illumination is a new beginning, based on old and strong roots.
Musically there hasn’t changed that much. INFINITE HORIZON still play melodic and epic Power metal with a touch of progressive finesse.
Illumination kicks off powerfully with The Infinition and then accelerates for Fallen Empires, which already sums up what INFINITE HORIZON is about, in the past and in the present. This song immediately became my favorite on this record. Following tracks Lost In The Future and Awaken take the same line, only vary minimally.
Sun And Shield makes a turn towards a rather Art Rock approach, before Thrones Of Grief gets gruff and Testing The End Of All Times conjures epic moments. Illumination gets closed with the 17 minutes monolith Revelation that fancies Nightwish in the beginning and then opens up to a Blind Guardian like bombast.
Also lyrically, INFINITE HORIZON remain true to themselves. They dig deep, work off their own past and reflect on the current social developments, based on own experiences and perception.  And they do so without teaching or pointing a finger. Thoughtful lyrics, another trademark of the band.

Though, Illumination is not entirely satisfying. Pace and heaviness are always moderate with marginal variation. I miss an energetic eruption here and there. And I miss a certain development. Illumination is a great record, once again, but perhaps a bit too homogenous and too smooth. Some rough edges wouldn’t have done any harm. Despite this, it’s a great pleasure to listen to this album. Fans of bands such as Brainstorm should definitely check out INFINITE HORIZON and listen to Illumination at maximum volume.