FEW BANDS CAN state that their origins lie in memes, but without these viral images, British prog metallers Ihlo may not exist.
“Back in 2016 I was posting a lot of memes on Facebook groups,” says vocalist and keyboardist Andy Robertson, “and I was also using it as an opportunity to share some of my music. Phil [Monro, guitars] saw some of those posts – he liked both kinds – and after a few messages we decided to collaborate together.”
“As soon as I heard Andy’s vocals on my demos, I knew we had something,” Monro returns.
What was initially intended to be a two-man, studio- only project, quickly got serious. With the help of drummer Clark McMenemy, whom Robertson knew through social- and meme-based circles, the trio spent the next three years writing and recording their debut album, Union. A smörgåsbord of artful ambience, dancing djent and glossy pop hooks, they soon piqued the interest of the progressive metal scene as the record suddenly became something of a cult classic. When a gig offer supporting Kyros came their way, the band evolved into a physical entity, with guitarist Rob Mair and bassist Michael Roberts entering the fray. Four years later, Ihlo are a very different prospect.
“I think the first record was an experiment,” reflects Robertson. “We know what we like from our sound now and we’re pushing forward with developing that.”
“The dynamic is completely different,” McMenemy beams. “We’re writing music that sounds like the sum of its parts and that’s very exciting. If Union was one of those lovely, traditional, bright cymbals that you polish up to a mirror sheen, album two is shaping up to be one of those really dark, trashy metal cymbals. It’s still got a sheen, but it’s much...
“Back in 2016 I was posting a lot of memes on Facebook groups,” says vocalist and keyboardist Andy Robertson, “and I was also using it as an opportunity to share some of my music. Phil [Monro, guitars] saw some of those posts – he liked both kinds – and after a few messages we decided to collaborate together.”
“As soon as I heard Andy’s vocals on my demos, I knew we had something,” Monro returns.
What was initially intended to be a two-man, studio- only project, quickly got serious. With the help of drummer Clark McMenemy, whom Robertson knew through social- and meme-based circles, the trio spent the next three years writing and recording their debut album, Union. A smörgåsbord of artful ambience, dancing djent and glossy pop hooks, they soon piqued the interest of the progressive metal scene as the record suddenly became something of a cult classic. When a gig offer supporting Kyros came their way, the band evolved into a physical entity, with guitarist Rob Mair and bassist Michael Roberts entering the fray. Four years later, Ihlo are a very different prospect.
“I think the first record was an experiment,” reflects Robertson. “We know what we like from our sound now and we’re pushing forward with developing that.”
“The dynamic is completely different,” McMenemy beams. “We’re writing music that sounds like the sum of its parts and that’s very exciting. If Union was one of those lovely, traditional, bright cymbals that you polish up to a mirror sheen, album two is shaping up to be one of those really dark, trashy metal cymbals. It’s still got a sheen, but it’s much...
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Prog (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 142