Illusion-Out Of The Mist (1977)

Illusion was an important British progressive folk-rock band with a brief recording career. They emerged from the ashes of Renaissance, and along with Armageddon, were considered one of its offshoots. Their initial lineup consisted of Keith Relf (guitar and vocals), drummer Jim McCarty, keyboardist John Hawken, bassist Louis Cennamo, and vocalist Jane Relf. However, shortly before beginning recording sessions for their debut album, Keith Relf suffered a severe electric shock while playing his guitar and died instantly. Some time later, the band decided to continue, hiring guitarist John Knightsbridge and percussionist Eddie McNeill, with whom they entered the studio and produced the album "Out of the Mist". Following the style of Renaissance albums, this debut features catchy melodies with sophisticated structures, a strong pop influence, and a certain symphonic quality. The flavor of old-school folk-rock is evident in almost every song, as we can hear in the opening and captivating "Isidora", while other tracks like "Everywhere You Go" and "Face of Yesterday", along with the pop-rock song "Solo Flight", showcase their melodic character. On the progressive side, there's "Candles Are Burning", undoubtedly the album's most avant-garde track, brimming with synthesizer sounds and driven by a steady, energetic rhythm.