Kscope
Ihlo’s sophomore album “Legacy” marks a six-year gap since the Scottish band’s debut record “Union”. From the powerful opening track “Wraith”, it is clear that the collective songwriting of band members Andy Robison, Phil Monro, and Clark McMenemy has evolved considerably. Robison’s vocal range and power is remarkable, and the delivery not unlike Daniel Tompkins from TesseracT, and at times, Bruce Soord of The Pineapple Thief. The driving, propulsive rhythms are layered with plenty of djent and ambient textures. There are plenty of prog, pop and electronic influences evident in the band’s sound.
The production is first rate, being partly recorded at The Arch Studios, a space within a 140-year-old restored church, which gives the drums an organic prominence. Highlights include “Empire”, the first single, which despite being upbeat also contains a brooding underbelly, and “Replica”, which showcases Ihlo’s versatility with dynamic shifts and atmospheres. Although sophisticated and ambitious, the album never sounds excessive, despite being 69 minutes in length. Tracks like “Mute” show that the band are not afraid to break things down to a simpler sound at times. Some might criticise the length of this track, but it works in the context of the album, being placed in the middle, providing the listener with some breathing space. The closing epic “Signals” is an expansive finale, with shifting moods and transitions, balancing technical, tight musicianship with soaring emotion, something which the band have achieved throughout the record.
The melodic sophistication and story-telling skills of *Frost, the heaviness of Tesseract, the dynamic rhythmic shifts of Haken, and yet very much Ihlo’s own distinctive sound. Accomplished and immersive modern prog rock brilliance. Come to Norway!
5/6 | Anne-Marie Forker
Release date: 29 August 2025