Reviewed by Peter John Willoughby

Illuminandi are a seven-piece gothic folk metal band from Poland. This musical style incorporates heavy metal guitar riffs alongside cello and violin melodies. It also contains elements of extreme metal, classical music, European folk music and progressive rock. They released a compilation of demos and live tracks as 'The Beginning' (2005) and 'Illumina Tenebras Meas' (2007). Their current album title 'In Via' is taken from a Latin phrase that means "on the way". The line-up is Antonina Witkowska (cello), Krzysztof Kawa (violin), Paweł "Troy" Treutler (growls), Aleksander Kozioł (guitar), Papirus (drums), Aleksander Kraszkiewicz (bass) and Jan Trębacz (guitar and vocals). The album also features guest performances from Paweł Iwaszkiewicz (recorders and shawm), Robert Jaworski (hurdy gurdy) and two former Illuminandi vocalists. The album is mainly in Polish with four English songs sprinkled in. It opens with a spoken intro "For a long time I have kept silent/I have been quiet and held myself back/But now I cry out" with intricate guitar and violin. Then there are thudding metal riffs and cello in "The Promise", which contains verses from Isaiah. "Reborn" has a driving rhythm with hints of hardcore, clean choral vocals and harsh growls. A classical orchestral style can be found in "Illumna Tenebras Meas" and folk in "W Drodze", although both still contain metal riffing. If you are willing, this will take you on an interesting musical journey. It is atmospheric and intricate, whilst maintaining its metal integrity.

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