Devil's Gate Music
Related Articles
Ilium is an Australian melodic power metal band formed in Newcastle in 1998. Founding member and guitarist-songwriter Jason Hodges was on call to talk us through the origins of the band, check-in with Jason, below…
What are the origins of Ilium, how long have you been playing together?
Ilium started as Iliad in 1998. Previously, most of us were in a band called Oracle from 1990-1994 and then briefly again a couple of years later. With the advent of the internet, we decided to try again as a mostly studio band. Originally the band consisted of myself, former Oracles members Mark Snedden (vocals), Michael Noonan (bass) and Kris Arendse (guitar). When Adam, who was also formerly a guitarist for Oracle, joined we changed our name to Ilium as there was a dance band in Sydney called Iliad.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe Ilium?
It’s difficult with subgenres to narrow it down, as we don’t try and fit into any of these categories. Ultimately we’re more of a melodic traditional/power metal band with some progressive and a few symphonic elements, but I guess everyone would have their own interpretations. I would say we’re a cross between European power metal, American power metal, and traditional heavy metal. We’re also fairly dark and introspective. We draw influences from a large number of bands, including Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Megadeth, Rush, Coroner, Savatage, Rage, Running Wild, Metal Church, MSG, Realm, Toxik, Helloween, Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray and too many others to mention 🙂
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
Ilium has never played live, so we rely on album and merchandise sales. We did play live in Oracle. Our first performance was in 1993, and myself and Adam were on guitar and original Ilium vocalist Mark Snedden was our singer. I remember we had a pretty decent crowd and we had strippers as a support act 🙂 I was definitely high on adrenaline. Our friends in the P.F.J. were the other band. The bassist, Dave Lewsham plays in PurEnvy now.
The new music scene is bursting at the seams at the minute with fresh talent, in what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out to build a name for themselves?
Honestly, I have no idea. It is nearly impossible to get any sort of traction. The music industry is overcrowded with bands and devoid of paying customers. I would recommend people learn as much as they can about recording and build a good home studio. And be true to yourself. Gimmicks can work or fail miserably, but the music comes first.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
We’re currently working on our next album ‘Scythe Ballet’, but it’s in the early stages. Our latest releases are our new EP, ‘Quantum Evolution Event’, which is available from http://iliumaustralia.bandcamp.com, and our latest album ‘Carcinogeist’ was released in 2020 along with the EP ‘Enviro-Metal’. We don’t put the same material on the EPs that we put on the albums, so they’re definitely worth checking out 🙂
In terms of a similar audience, which band out there at the minute do you feel Ilium would hypothetically be best suited to open for?
Hypothetically it would be someone like Blind Guardian. I think we’d be a good fit with the classic power/heavy metal bands like Rage, Metal Church, Running Wild, Helloween, Savatage, etc
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
Well, we’re not exactly a new band 🙂 I buy new CDs all the time and there are so many great bands. I can never remember which ones when put on the spot though – always listening to something 😉
What are your own first musical memories? And what was the lightbulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
What current social issue are you particularly passionate about?
I guess it was a series of things, but one thing which really stood out was hearing Tony Iommi’s playing on Black Sabbath’s ‘Die Young’ when I was a kid. It also seemed like a good way to express myself, musically and lyrically. As far as heavy metal goes, I went to a friend’s house when I was 13 and he played a bunch of stuff like Kiss ‘Heaven’s On Fire’ and songs from Twisted Sister’s ‘Stay Hungry’, and I was hooked. From there I got into bands like Motley Crue and W.A.S.P., then I basically wanted anything I could find that was heavy 🙂 I know Anthrax, Helloween, Kreator, and Judas Priest are among the many bands early on that had a big impact on me
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
The last major show I attended was Scorpions/Whitesnake in March 2020. It was right in the middle of a horrific bushfire season in Australia and just before everything shut down with COVID. I’m supposed to be seeing Kiss in March, but I’m not too optimistic about that one. Things are still very up in the air in Australia, and like everywhere there is a big Omicron wave happening. We’ve been fairly well sheltered from COVID up until now. Fortunately, most of us are vaccinated, so hopefully, we won’t have as many deaths and maybe we’ll start seeing things start to open up more.
What current social issue are you particularly passionate about?
That’s a difficult one 🙂 Whenever you mention things that are important to you people get all up in arms. Having said that, I love animals – I’m a wildlife rescuer and have a lot of pets, and the destruction of the environment, climate change, etc are major concerns for me. Other than that, just basic justice, ensuring everyone grows up with the best chances in life they can get. Too often we hear about people committing horrific crimes and more often than not they have had horrific childhoods themselves.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
I have over 7000 CDs/music DVDs. I’m not sure any of them are much of a surprise 🙂 I basically love heavy metal/hard rock. I also listen to progressive rock. That does encompass a lot more variety than most people not familiar with this music realise though.
Although 2021 was another year to forget, there were some amazing new albums released, what would be your album of last year?
Again, I buy so many it’s hard to come up with one for last year. I’d have to go through it all, but it can take a long time for me to get a chance to give CDs a second listen 🙂 I was impressed with the new Exodus, Testament, Helloween, Iron Maiden. Too many to mention 🙂
What does 2022 hold for Ilium?
I just take things as they come, as so much is out of my control. I would like to be well into the recording of our new album, but again, a lot of time is spent waiting on others. I would really like to get some sales happening for Quantum Evolution Event and our back catalogue so we can afford to keep going though.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
I’m fairly active on Facebook under Jason Hodges Metal-Animals and do a little bit on Instagram. Ilium has a page on both as well.
