INTERVIEW: Ilia Yordanov Talks About Creativity, Influences, and Finding Balance in The Music Industry


 

In the time since moving to California a few years ago, I have been lucky enough to meet an array of compelling characters. One day at my non-writing day job, I met a charismatic and well-spoken, willowy and mysterious figure who just happened to be one of the most interesting current guitarists in rock, Ilia Yordanov. A Bulgarian-turned West Coast, USA transplant and a man of many adventures, Ilia performs with a powerful and melodic solo band and in a little band called Orgy (now sneaking up on a decade with the latter). 

It was a pleasure to have a deep conversation with Yordanov about the dynamic and catchy yet dissonant new ILIA solo single “Remedy,” spiritual inspirations, surface aesthetics vs. life path commitment to the arts, and much more! A genuinely cool talk.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Xandria – Eclipse


Personnel changes are a pretty regular occurrence for German Symphonic Metal act Xandria, so it should come as no surprise that ninth full-length studio album Eclipse (Napalm Records) finds guitarist and sole mainstay, Marco Heubaum, in all too familiar territory. The departure of bassist Tim Schwarz earlier in the year was the latest spanner in the works, but Heubaum worked quickly to secure the talents of Sascha Mordtmann, the remainder of the line-up staying the same as 2023’s The Wonders Still Awaiting

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ALBUM REVIEW: Unreqvited – A Pathway to the Moon


As a consistently profound blend of blackgaze, ambient, post-rock, and black metal, the Ottawa-bound Unreqvited led by 鬼 (Ghost) takes a groundbreaking step toward a rather structured approach in terms of their soundscapes on their new album; incorporating elements from their past releases. With the release of A Pathway to the Moon –out via Prophecy Productions–, they transition into something beyond their borders; inclined more towards intricate lyrical expressions and clean vocals rather than instrumental-heavy elements. This change of trajectory also happens because of the fact that they recently transitioned into a full touring band with heavy focus on live performances.  Continue reading