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In the music business, the line between hobby and professional endeavor is often blurry. For brand-new musicians, the line might even be non-existent. And, every once in a while, a record graces our promo pile that is undeniably pure and authentic in a way only possible if its creator pours something deeply personal into the music. There is little doubt that this was the case for Jason Tyler when he formed Illusia in Manchester, UK. He took on a few bandmates and guest vocalists to help bring his progressive metal debut Mind over Matter to life, though he retains most of the songwriting and recording duties. How well might his passion project connect with a wider audience upon first exposure?

In some respects, Illusia is to prog as Fellowship is to power metal. In addition to an overarching affirming narrative,1 Mind over Matter boasts tons of colorful, sing-along choruses and tunes that will surely strike some as corny. But, like with Fellowship, no one can deny that they come from a place of earnestness. Sonically, Mind over Matter is a joyous mashup of Neal Morse’s sentimental prog rock and Ayreon’s zany keyboard wizardry. Tyler is skilled at leveraging the instruments at his disposal in complex yet catchy ways. Organ, guitar, synths, bass, and piano are layered in lockstep to weave a rich melodic tapestry, often paired with intricate drum rhythms in a fashion reminiscent of Seventh Wonder or DGM. In lesser hands, this might sound like a complete jumble, but Illusia demonstrates a compositional maturity beyond its fledgling status.

Illusia generally prioritizes emotional resonance over technical showmanship. Perhaps the most defining characteristic of Mind over Matter is its heavy reliance on tranquil ballad-esque songs. Of these, “Daydream” is by far my favorite, its piano arpeggios and poignant strings creating an affecting mood. The softer tracks are generally interspersed well with the more upbeat ones, although the back-to-back placement of “Anemoia” and “Shine Through the Night” leads to minor engagement snags. Still, a record with this many ballads should not work as well as this one does. The more technical aspects of Mind over Matter manifest in somewhat subtle ways. Dec Doyle’s guitar solos and Tyler’s keyboard melodies, while primarily uplifting, can be dazzling as well (“Delirium,” “Solace Divine”). Also, though not the main highlight of Mind over Matter, Tyler is a sneakily talented drummer, deftly brandishing syncopated rhythms throughout “What If.”

However, the vocals are where the consistency fluctuates and falters. Jason Tyler handles the majority of the singing, though in Ayreon fashion, he enlists the talents of several guest vocalists to bring the story to life. When possible, Tyler sticks to his more comfortable mid-to-low ranges while letting the guests take the higher ones, a strategy which works well with DGM’s Mark Basile (“Solace Divine”) and Chrysalïd’s Emannuel Thorsen (“Delirium”). But when he reaches for higher notes (“Arrival,” “Alone”), his vocal strain weakens the music’s emotive impact. Additionally, his harmonization with the other vocalists often feels tenuous, particularly with Alessia Scolletti’s near-shouting in the final chorus of “Shine Through the Night,” an unexpected letdown given her outstanding prior work with Temperance. Mind over Matter’s lush compositions are crying out for similar-caliber vocal talent, a taste of which comes from Lisa Skinner’s (Sorceress of Sin) gritty and occasionally operatic performance in the punchy “Dream Dance.”

While much of progressive metal is meant to tug heartstrings, Illusia displays an unflinching degree of tenderness and vulnerability that I haven’t heard too often. Mind over Matter may be unpolished, but not nearly as much as one might expect from the very first attempt of a self-produced artist. The songwriting, musicianship, and production are warm and inviting, with few moments during the hour-long runtime during which my attention wavers. Despite—and maybe because of—some vocal imperfections, Mind over Matter feels genuinely and profoundly human. And in a world where art is becoming increasingly artificial and superficial, that’s ultimately what matters most.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Self-Release
Websites: illusia.bandcamp.com | instagram.com/jtptyler
Releases Worldwide: August 22nd, 2025

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