Metalcatto
We cover next to no splits at MER. That’s not totally out of spite, but it’s taken a long time to find one that’s both long and fun enough to write about. So here comes Illusory Dissolvents, mixing up Sleep Paralysis, Aoecist, and Light Dweller. One heavier and more twisted than the other, I know! But can they all work together in a way that fits? Or am I going to feel like someone threw a dead cod in my chocolate pudding? Time to find out if my faith in splits should be restored.
Holy Satan! This thing is dark and violent. That was my first thought. There’s really nothing here for the faint of heart. Each of the bands brings its own deranged interpretation of Disso-Death and Prog Metal. And while they’re all different, they somehow fit each other perfectly. Listening felt like staring into the void and screaming in despair, yet not being able to look away. The work here was as enticing as it was disturbing. Consistency was one of the trio’s main weapons, but their willingness to take risks and ignore my gut health also made it work.
You can clearly tell these are different bands—the shift between tracks makes that obvious. Light Dweller is the most progressive one, Aoecist delivers the most Black Metal-driven punishment, and Sleep Paralysis, as we’ve noticed before, leans into chaos in the truest Avant-Garde sense. Yet despite those differences, they all convey the same atmosphere of dread and horror. The tonal shifts can be exciting or jarring depending on your tolerance for inconsistency, which is always the risk with splits.
That’s the core of the issue here: splits almost always feel like an appetizer before the main course, only for the entrée to suddenly change midway. For some, that lack of cohesion will be frustrating. For others, it’s a buffet of extremes to gorge on. Personally, I enjoyed the variety, but if you’re the kind of listener who craves a linear narrative, this release might not be for you. Still, it’s an excellent way to discover three bands that deserve more attention, and that can’t possibly make your life worse.
I had mixed feelings at first, but ended up impressed by the level of musicianship and creativity delivered here. It might be too soon to tell, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up talking about these bands again before the year is over. I’ve been trying to put together a kind of redemption round for overlooked releases, and this split might earn a spot. Until then, if you love everything disturbing and dark, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
Label: Hauntology Records
Release date: 10 October, 2025
Website: https://lightdweller.bandcamp.com/album/illusory-dissolvents
Country: USA
Score: 3.7/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 