This young Brit band's debut EP brightly bleeds with promise, as all five tracks blend the most emotionally rousing elements of rock, punk and metal folds to unforgettable effect.

Led by Paul Collins on lead vocals, opening anthem 'Dancing On The Graves Of Our Past' is first evidence that vocals where this quintet is concerned are prone to attack the senses literally from all directions, as guitarist and chief songwriting virtuoso Ben Whatsley and bassist Toby Phillips also indulge in delivering fantastically harmonious backing vocals as if concentrating on their respective guitar parts is child's play.

Whatsley is an outstanding guitarist and throws in allsorts of classy rock solos when Paul feels like taking a breather, with their 'Twenty Years' being driven by a punkier backbeat from Jason Bowld, the band's in-studio drummer and former member of Pitchshifter no less.

'Eleven Thirty Nine' wields a mosh-perfect riff, before 'After The Rain' hears Paul claim that 'We wait for possibility.'

But as fantasy throttles reality, This Illusion more than provide a respite from the legions of dull rock bands around right now, for their music hits hard yet melodically, and sounds boldly destined to live long and prosper.   
(4/5)

Release date: 14 June 2004