October 11
Words by Jenna Flood
Exilium is the third full-length album for – now – solo artist Andy Gillion. You will know the name of this very talented man from Finnish melodic death metal band Mors Principium Est, where Andy was the lead guitarist and mastermind behind the songwriting from 2011 to 2020. A multi-instrumentalist and composer, Andy moved to Australia from England in 2017 and has made Melbourne home to pursue his promising solo career.
Having received outstanding reviews for his debut album Neverafter (2019) followed by Arcade Metal (2022), Andy is set to thrill us again with Exilium. A concept album from start to finish which tells the tale of an exiled knight. The sequence of the 8 tracks form the storyline of the banished knight’s journey.
While Neverafter and Arcade Metal were predominantly instrumental albums, Exilium is ferociously narrated showcasing, for the first time, the versatility of Andy’s voice. With incredible harsh and clean vocals throughout, the debut of Andy’s vocal talents on Exilium takes his credits to the next level.
There is a familiarity in the music with the symphonic melodeath sound that Andy cultivated in Mors Principium Est, but with an exciting progressive twist that makes you feel as though you are along for the ride with our exiled knight. Feel his highs, his lows and his passion as his journey takes you from a Prophecy (Track 1) to Taking A New Path (Track 3), Avenging The Fallen (Track 5) and concluding with Acceptance (Track 8).
As with Andy’s two previous albums, some impressive guest musicians have contributed to the production of Exilium. Precision drumming is performed throughout the album by Dave Haley of Psycroptic, and Brittney Slayes of Unleash the Archers lends her powerful vocal prowess to Track 2, As the Kingdom Burns.
Prophecy (Track 1) is the first single release from Exilium. Check out the video clip below and witness the musical genius of Andy Gillion’s guitar playing, accompanied by his own incredible vocals in an engaging clip with Andy totally in character.
I love an album that “takes me somewhere” and Exilium certainly does that. Accompanied with gorgeous artwork courtesy of Swedish artist Kim Aldau, Exilium is an exceptionally emotional album that delivers a truly captivating listening experience. It is an exciting tale that will leave you fired up and ready to go into battle!
Physical copies of Exilium and merchandise are only available directly from Andy himself at his website: www.andygillion.com where you will find CD’s, vinyl, t-shirts and other attractive goodies!
