Ihlo - Legacy - review
Ihlo - Legacy - review
Tracklist
01. Wraith02. Replica
03. Source
04. Empire
05. Storm
06. Mute
07. Cenotaph
08. Haar
09. Legacy
10. Signals
A review by
AndyMetalFreak September 07, 2025
Ihlo are a progressive metal band formed in the UK in 2016. The foundation of their music primarily lies in heavy metal, while containing dynamic and progressive song structures and a strong element of groove. However, they go that extra step further by incorporating electronic, pop, and djent influences. This style is what made their full-length debut Union, released back in 2019, so highly praised by critics from across the progressive rock/metal scene. Now, they hope to carry the form from their debut on through their sophomore Legacy, which, with 6 years in the making, promises to be a more than worthy follow-up.
Whereas the debut's theme explored the emotional challenges we share through our relationships with one another, this album delves into the near-future, exploring our technological advancement that's governed by profit rather than purpose; keeping with this theme, there is further exploration of djent and electronic influences on this release. The album's unpredictable song structures and emotive transitions represent the uncertainty of what lies ahead in the future as our technology advances. Shall we continue to embrace and seek to achieve through the wonders of technology, or will humanity simply become obsolete as AI starts to take a foothold on the world as we know it?
The band inject immersive ambient passages to counteract the heavier and more upbeat sections, in which listeners will encounter a variety of soundscapes, from calm and warming, to dark and bleak. These soundscapes are captured by heavy melodic music with dynamic and unpredictable rhythm shifts, complex time signatures, a strong use of electronics and keys, and progressive djenty riffs taken from a page out of TesseracT's book. The instrumentation is certainly unpredictable and complex, but constantly feels like there's method to its structure. In terms of vocals, they're performed in a classic progressive rock fashion, with relatively soft and passionate singing that manages to release a wide range of emotions.
There's a staggering amount of hooks and jams, some of which you'll only uncover after several spins. Some ambient passages will touch listeners' deepest emotions, and some crescendos will leave you in awe; the stunning keys and vocal harmonies on "Signals" and the guitar solo on "Legacy" will take your breath away if you let them. Like with many progressive metal albums, this doesn't come without lengthy complex compositions and moments of meandering, so one listen will simply not be enough to get a full grasp of what brilliance lies from deep within the mass of layers. The production is outstanding; the mix allows every element to shine, from every guitar note, bass and vocal line, to each electronic key and drum beat. It's so crisp and clear that some may argue over it being overproduced and artificial, but this level of performance and songwriting requires such a production so you can experience the full span of what the record offers.
Ihlo are still relatively new to the scene but, their career is already off to a high flying start with 2 stellar releases under their belt. Their ambition, creativity, and risk-taking have certainly paid off here, and they are already demonstrating the songwriting and musicianship to challenge the heavyweights in the UK progressive metal scene. Legacy is definitely a step up in quality from Union, and that album was certainly no slouch either, so this leaves me wondering just how far this band can progress to.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 7 |
| Production: | 10 |
Written on 07.09.2025 by
Written on 07.09.2025 by
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