Illyria - Biography
Logos
2016-
Used for album art and merchandise.
Used for album art and merchandise.
2014-2015
Still used for posters and merchandise designs.
Still used for posters and merchandise designs.
Biography
Originally based in Perth, Western Australia, 'Illyria' was founded by Ilija Stajić in late 2013 whilst travelling in Europe looking for a new, refreshing sound to compose and bring back to the Southern hemisphere. After falling in love with the subgenre ‘blackgaze’, the project followed later with the addition of Perth-based musicians George Blacklock, Daniel Hacking, Matt Unkovich and James Warren. The quintet envisioned a philosophy to create an emotionally polarizing fusion of post rock and black metal.
Inspired by fellow contemporaries Alcest, Deafheaven, Lantlôs and Les Discrets, Illyria's goal is to captivate on the gracious melodies and pulsating rhythms of the hybrid genre whilst promoting the accessibility of the genre to new listeners around the world. Illyria incorporated these influences and more into their 2016 self-titled debut album, which is generally regarded highly by global press, and Australian and European fans alike. The album helped the band earn several Perth shows supporting national and international bands such as Alcest, Ne Obliviscaris, Plini, Caligula’s Horse and Orsome Welles.
Illyria released their sophomore album “The Carpathian Summit” in 2019. The album retains Illyria’s identifiable style, but with more progressive elements. After an intense pandemic period in 2020, the band released a new single "Frostbite" showcasing a new guitarist line-up featuring Stephen Barrett and Andre Avila on guitars following the departures of Blacklock and Warren.
In 2021, Stajić had relocated to Humpty Doo, Northern Territory due to work and family commitments. The band was restructured as a solo-project again which saw all Perth-based members moving on. The latest single "In The Arms Of Persephone" was released in February 2022 to celebrate the 'end of an era' as a band as well as to brace listeners for Illyria's future musical endeavours.
The band's third full-length "Take Me Somewhere Beautiful" released on the 7th October 2022. The first single released "Uniting The Damned From The Depths Below" demonstrated the first phase of the new era by captivating on the announcement of new vocalist & keyboardist James Tolich into the group. It was a bold move steering away from beginnings with less influence from black metal territory and solely embracing post-hardcore & punk influences. With Stajić moving back to his home state in Western Australia, Illyria has forged a new line up reuniting with Avila on rhythm guitar. For the first time, the band has now become a six-piece being further accompanied by Harry Prosser on lead guitar, Jeffrey Andersen on Bass and Cam Stone-Griffin on drums.
Inspired by fellow contemporaries Alcest, Deafheaven, Lantlôs and Les Discrets, Illyria's goal is to captivate on the gracious melodies and pulsating rhythms of the hybrid genre whilst promoting the accessibility of the genre to new listeners around the world. Illyria incorporated these influences and more into their 2016 self-titled debut album, which is generally regarded highly by global press, and Australian and European fans alike. The album helped the band earn several Perth shows supporting national and international bands such as Alcest, Ne Obliviscaris, Plini, Caligula’s Horse and Orsome Welles.
Illyria released their sophomore album “The Carpathian Summit” in 2019. The album retains Illyria’s identifiable style, but with more progressive elements. After an intense pandemic period in 2020, the band released a new single "Frostbite" showcasing a new guitarist line-up featuring Stephen Barrett and Andre Avila on guitars following the departures of Blacklock and Warren.
In 2021, Stajić had relocated to Humpty Doo, Northern Territory due to work and family commitments. The band was restructured as a solo-project again which saw all Perth-based members moving on. The latest single "In The Arms Of Persephone" was released in February 2022 to celebrate the 'end of an era' as a band as well as to brace listeners for Illyria's future musical endeavours.
The band's third full-length "Take Me Somewhere Beautiful" released on the 7th October 2022. The first single released "Uniting The Damned From The Depths Below" demonstrated the first phase of the new era by captivating on the announcement of new vocalist & keyboardist James Tolich into the group. It was a bold move steering away from beginnings with less influence from black metal territory and solely embracing post-hardcore & punk influences. With Stajić moving back to his home state in Western Australia, Illyria has forged a new line up reuniting with Avila on rhythm guitar. For the first time, the band has now become a six-piece being further accompanied by Harry Prosser on lead guitar, Jeffrey Andersen on Bass and Cam Stone-Griffin on drums.