Genre: Black metal
Origin: Sweden
Released: 2009
Website: Life Illusion
Label: Black Saw Records
Uploaded: 26.06.09

When it comes to the depressive styled black metal nowadays it seems almost impossible to not get overwhelmed by Shining clones. Sure, there certainly are exceptions, but it feels like the vast majority are keen on copying one particular act. Thankfully there isn’t a whole lot of that going on within Life Illusion. This one-man band (with session vocals) reveals a lot of the main-man Golgara. Lyrically it’s very personal bits about his own inner struggles, depressions and (dear I say) even lost love.
What sets the lyrics apart from all the other ‘depressive’ black metal acts is the fact that this is very personal. He doesn’t just go on about how he hates everyone and everything, but reveals just how he feels at the moment; lost, alone and without any hope. It feels very sincere, which makes it so much easier to take seriously instead of ramblings about killing everyone. What also sets Into the darkness of my soul apart is the strong doom metal presence. While certainly remaining within the black metal genre it is strongly flavoured by doom, and atmosphere-wise it leans close to Shape of Despair or even Mourning Beloveth with its very saddened aura.
While the tempo is rather slow there’s definitely enough variation to keep it interesting, and the slow pace also means the riffing is the main-focus of the music. Golgara has definitely gathered a lot of great riffs and lines. Albeit not excelling in originality there are tons of melodies sweeping by within one single track. And while some riffing reminds me of Blodsrit it can just as well remind me of Dark Funeral, while bits of it gets me thinking of Arckanum. Of course it also has its Shining moments, but overall it’s not dwelling in the same sound.
On a critical note the album does have its downers. The vocals are definitely too high in the mix, almost drowning out the music at times. Instead of interacting with the tunes it winds up just thrown on top of it, if you know what I mean. It’s also pretty standard issue black metal screams, unlike the music which is versatile and interesting. While most of it is fairly tight I can’t help but to feel like the drum tempo is inadvertently sped up during End of the line. The fact that the song is even on here is probably a mistake; it’s not included in the track list and from what I’ve read it’s supposed to be a bonus song for the tape-version of the release.
It’s definitely an interesting debut album, but with a more coherent production and more versatility in the vocal department it’d go up a notch. However highly recommended to fans of the particular depressive style of black metal, since this is way better than the majority of half-arsed attempts to sound harsh and evil.

Tracklist:
01. Intro – Into the darkness of my soul
02. Fog
03. As blackness fell over my eyes
04. Förevig smärta
05. I mitt mörker
06. Tear my heart out
07. End of the line
08. Standing alone
09. Outro