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#temperance — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #temperance, aggregated by home.social.

  1. A quotation from Euripides

    CHORUS: May I know the blessing of a heart that is not passion’s slave; no fairer gift can the gods bestow. But may the dread Cyprian never inflict upon me quarrelsome moods and insatiable strife, firing my heart with love for a stranger; may she rather show respect for marriages where peace reigns and judge with a shrewd eye the loves of women.
       
    ΚΥΚΛΩΨ: στέργοι δέ με σωφροσύνα, δώρημα κάλλιστον θεῶν:
     μηδέ ποτ᾽ ἀμφιλόγους ὀργὰς ἀκόρεστά τε νείκη
     θυμὸν ἐκπλήξασ᾽ ἑτέροις ἐπὶ λέκτροις
     προσβάλοι δεινὰ Κύπρις, ἀπτολέμους δ᾽
     εὐνὰς σεβίζουσ᾽ ὀξύφρων
     κρίνοι λέχη γυναικῶν.

    Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
    Medea [Μήδεια], l. 636ff, Second Stasimon, Antistrophe 1 (431 BC) [tr. Davie (1996)]

    More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/euripides/82632/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #euripides #medea #adultery #calm #faithfulness #marriage #moderation #passion #restraint #temperance

  2. A quotation from Euripides

    CHORUS: May I know the blessing of a heart that is not passion’s slave; no fairer gift can the gods bestow. But may the dread Cyprian never inflict upon me quarrelsome moods and insatiable strife, firing my heart with love for a stranger; may she rather show respect for marriages where peace reigns and judge with a shrewd eye the loves of women.
       
    ΚΥΚΛΩΨ: στέργοι δέ με σωφροσύνα, δώρημα κάλλιστον θεῶν:
     μηδέ ποτ᾽ ἀμφιλόγους ὀργὰς ἀκόρεστά τε νείκη
     θυμὸν ἐκπλήξασ᾽ ἑτέροις ἐπὶ λέκτροις
     προσβάλοι δεινὰ Κύπρις, ἀπτολέμους δ᾽
     εὐνὰς σεβίζουσ᾽ ὀξύφρων
     κρίνοι λέχη γυναικῶν.

    Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
    Medea [Μήδεια], l. 636ff, Second Stasimon, Antistrophe 1 (431 BC) [tr. Davie (1996)]

    More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/euripides/82632/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #euripides #medea #adultery #calm #faithfulness #marriage #moderation #passion #restraint #temperance

  3. A quotation from Euripides

    CHORUS: May I know the blessing of a heart that is not passion’s slave; no fairer gift can the gods bestow. But may the dread Cyprian never inflict upon me quarrelsome moods and insatiable strife, firing my heart with love for a stranger; may she rather show respect for marriages where peace reigns and judge with a shrewd eye the loves of women.
       
    ΚΥΚΛΩΨ: στέργοι δέ με σωφροσύνα, δώρημα κάλλιστον θεῶν:
     μηδέ ποτ᾽ ἀμφιλόγους ὀργὰς ἀκόρεστά τε νείκη
     θυμὸν ἐκπλήξασ᾽ ἑτέροις ἐπὶ λέκτροις
     προσβάλοι δεινὰ Κύπρις, ἀπτολέμους δ᾽
     εὐνὰς σεβίζουσ᾽ ὀξύφρων
     κρίνοι λέχη γυναικῶν.

    Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
    Medea [Μήδεια], l. 636ff, Second Stasimon, Antistrophe 1 (431 BC) [tr. Davie (1996)]

    More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/euripides/82632/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #euripides #medea #adultery #calm #faithfulness #marriage #moderation #passion #restraint #temperance

  4. A quotation from Euripides

    CHORUS: May I know the blessing of a heart that is not passion’s slave; no fairer gift can the gods bestow. But may the dread Cyprian never inflict upon me quarrelsome moods and insatiable strife, firing my heart with love for a stranger; may she rather show respect for marriages where peace reigns and judge with a shrewd eye the loves of women.
       
    ΚΥΚΛΩΨ: στέργοι δέ με σωφροσύνα, δώρημα κάλλιστον θεῶν:
     μηδέ ποτ᾽ ἀμφιλόγους ὀργὰς ἀκόρεστά τε νείκη
     θυμὸν ἐκπλήξασ᾽ ἑτέροις ἐπὶ λέκτροις
     προσβάλοι δεινὰ Κύπρις, ἀπτολέμους δ᾽
     εὐνὰς σεβίζουσ᾽ ὀξύφρων
     κρίνοι λέχη γυναικῶν.

    Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
    Medea [Μήδεια], l. 636ff, Second Stasimon, Antistrophe 1 (431 BC) [tr. Davie (1996)]

    More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/euripides/82632/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #euripides #medea #adultery #calm #faithfulness #marriage #moderation #passion #restraint #temperance

  5. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    The happy life is to an extraordinary extent the same as the good life. Professional moralists have made too much of self-denial, and in so doing have put the emphasis in the wrong place. Conscious self-denial leaves a man self-absorbed and vividly aware of what he has sacrificed; in consequence it fails often of its immediate object and almost always of its ultimate purpose. What is needed is not self-denial, but that kind of direction of interest outward which will lead spontaneously and naturally to the same acts that a person absorbed in the pursuit of his own virtue could only perform by means of conscious self-denial.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 17 “The Happy Man” (1930)

    More about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/818…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #asceticism #temperance #celibacy #abstinence #diet #focus #goodlife #happiness #interest #selfdenial #selfrestriction

  6. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    The happy life is to an extraordinary extent the same as the good life. Professional moralists have made too much of self-denial, and in so doing have put the emphasis in the wrong place. Conscious self-denial leaves a man self-absorbed and vividly aware of what he has sacrificed; in consequence it fails often of its immediate object and almost always of its ultimate purpose. What is needed is not self-denial, but that kind of direction of interest outward which will lead spontaneously and naturally to the same acts that a person absorbed in the pursuit of his own virtue could only perform by means of conscious self-denial.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 17 “The Happy Man” (1930)

    More about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/818…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #asceticism #temperance #celibacy #abstinence #diet #focus #goodlife #happiness #interest #selfdenial #selfrestriction

  7. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    The happy life is to an extraordinary extent the same as the good life. Professional moralists have made too much of self-denial, and in so doing have put the emphasis in the wrong place. Conscious self-denial leaves a man self-absorbed and vividly aware of what he has sacrificed; in consequence it fails often of its immediate object and almost always of its ultimate purpose. What is needed is not self-denial, but that kind of direction of interest outward which will lead spontaneously and naturally to the same acts that a person absorbed in the pursuit of his own virtue could only perform by means of conscious self-denial.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 17 “The Happy Man” (1930)

    More about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/818…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #asceticism #temperance #celibacy #abstinence #diet #focus #goodlife #happiness #interest #selfdenial #selfrestriction

  8. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    The happy life is to an extraordinary extent the same as the good life. Professional moralists have made too much of self-denial, and in so doing have put the emphasis in the wrong place. Conscious self-denial leaves a man self-absorbed and vividly aware of what he has sacrificed; in consequence it fails often of its immediate object and almost always of its ultimate purpose. What is needed is not self-denial, but that kind of direction of interest outward which will lead spontaneously and naturally to the same acts that a person absorbed in the pursuit of his own virtue could only perform by means of conscious self-denial.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 17 “The Happy Man” (1930)

    More about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/818…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #asceticism #temperance #celibacy #abstinence #diet #focus #goodlife #happiness #interest #selfdenial #selfrestriction

  9. This is the Man of Kent on Margate High Street. It was opened as a #temperance coffee house in about 1880, and is now a shop and flats. It caught my eye on a post-Christmas walk.

    #photography #architecture #margate #kent #architecturephotography

  10. ✨ Temperance ✨

    "Seek balance in all things."

    Deborah Blake and I are excited to reveal a new Whimsy Woods Tarot card. This one became a favorite of the whole team at Llewellyn! We are hard at work creating this deck, and it will be published in 2027. Patience, my friends!

    Every card from this deck is created by me with ink, watercolor, and acryla gouache.

    #temperance #tortoise #tarot #whimsical #divination #animalart #fediart #mastoart #illustration

  11. A quotation from Joseph Addison

    Temperance and abstinence, faith and devotion, are in themselves perhaps as laudable as any other virtues; but those which make a man popular and beloved are justice, charity, munificence, and, in short, all the good qualities which render us beneficial to each other.

    Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
    Essay (1711-12-08), The Spectator, No. 243

    More info about this quote: wist.info/addison-joseph/78835…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #josephaddision #abstinence #behavior #beneficence #character #charity #devotion #faith #giving #goldenrule #goodperson #justice #loveyourneighbor #qualities #temperance #traits #usefulness #popularity

  12. A quotation from Joseph Addison

    Temperance and abstinence, faith and devotion, are in themselves perhaps as laudable as any other virtues; but those which make a man popular and beloved are justice, charity, munificence, and, in short, all the good qualities which render us beneficial to each other.

    Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
    Essay (1711-12-08), The Spectator, No. 243

    More info about this quote: wist.info/addison-joseph/78835…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #josephaddision #abstinence #behavior #beneficence #character #charity #devotion #faith #giving #goldenrule #goodperson #justice #loveyourneighbor #qualities #temperance #traits #usefulness #popularity

  13. A quotation from Joseph Addison

    Temperance and abstinence, faith and devotion, are in themselves perhaps as laudable as any other virtues; but those which make a man popular and beloved are justice, charity, munificence, and, in short, all the good qualities which render us beneficial to each other.

    Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
    Essay (1711-12-08), The Spectator, No. 243

    More info about this quote: wist.info/addison-joseph/78835…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #josephaddision #abstinence #behavior #beneficence #character #charity #devotion #faith #giving #goldenrule #goodperson #justice #loveyourneighbor #qualities #temperance #traits #usefulness #popularity

  14. A quotation from Joseph Addison

    Temperance and abstinence, faith and devotion, are in themselves perhaps as laudable as any other virtues; but those which make a man popular and beloved are justice, charity, munificence, and, in short, all the good qualities which render us beneficial to each other.

    Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
    Essay (1711-12-08), The Spectator, No. 243

    More info about this quote: wist.info/addison-joseph/78835…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #josephaddision #abstinence #behavior #beneficence #character #charity #devotion #faith #giving #goldenrule #goodperson #justice #loveyourneighbor #qualities #temperance #traits #usefulness #popularity

  15. A quotation from Joseph Addison

    Temperance and abstinence, faith and devotion, are in themselves perhaps as laudable as any other virtues; but those which make a man popular and beloved are justice, charity, munificence, and, in short, all the good qualities which render us beneficial to each other.

    Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
    Essay (1711-12-08), The Spectator, No. 243

    More info about this quote: wist.info/addison-joseph/78835…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #josephaddision #abstinence #behavior #beneficence #character #charity #devotion #faith #giving #goldenrule #goodperson #justice #loveyourneighbor #qualities #temperance #traits #usefulness #popularity

  16. Illusia – Mind over Matter Review

    By Killjoy

    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

    #2025 #35 #Aug25 #Ayreon #BritishMetal #Chrysalïd #DGM #Fellowship #Illusia #MindOverMatter #NealMorse #ProgressiveMetal #ProgressiveRock #Review #Reviews #SelfRelease #SeventhWonder #SorceressOfSin #Temperance

  17. Illusia – Mind over Matter Review

    By Killjoy

    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

    #2025 #35 #Aug25 #Ayreon #BritishMetal #Chrysalïd #DGM #Fellowship #Illusia #MindOverMatter #NealMorse #ProgressiveMetal #ProgressiveRock #Review #Reviews #SelfRelease #SeventhWonder #SorceressOfSin #Temperance

  18. Illusia – Mind over Matter Review

    By Killjoy

    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

    #2025 #35 #Aug25 #Ayreon #BritishMetal #Chrysalïd #DGM #Fellowship #Illusia #MindOverMatter #NealMorse #ProgressiveMetal #ProgressiveRock #Review #Reviews #SelfRelease #SeventhWonder #SorceressOfSin #Temperance

  19. Illusia – Mind over Matter Review

    By Killjoy

    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

    Show 1 footnote

    1. About an individual who retreats within their mind to escape the injustices of reality and their unseen struggle to find inner peace.

    #2025 #35 #Aug25 #Ayreon #BritishMetal #Chrysalïd #DGM #Fellowship #Illusia #MindOverMatter #NealMorse #ProgressiveMetal #ProgressiveRock #Review #Reviews #SelfRelease #SeventhWonder #SorceressOfSin #Temperance

  20. Hashtag Master Numbers #Temperance

    ‘The Republic or the Tyrants?

    The Choice Jefferson Faced in 1776 Is Now Ours in 2025 Will we defend the dream of self-rule, or surrender to the very powers our ancestors bled to escape?

    THOM HARTMANN
    { MAY 07, 2025
    hartmannreport.com/p/the-repub

    #Sound #MasterNumbers

  21. Hashtag Master Numbers #Temperance

    ‘The Republic or the Tyrants?

    The Choice Jefferson Faced in 1776 Is Now Ours in 2025 Will we defend the dream of self-rule, or surrender to the very powers our ancestors bled to escape?

    THOM HARTMANN
    { MAY 07, 2025
    hartmannreport.com/p/the-repub

    #Sound #MasterNumbers

  22. Hashtag Master Numbers #Temperance

    ‘The Republic or the Tyrants?

    The Choice Jefferson Faced in 1776 Is Now Ours in 2025 Will we defend the dream of self-rule, or surrender to the very powers our ancestors bled to escape?

    THOM HARTMANN
    { MAY 07, 2025
    hartmannreport.com/p/the-repub

    #Sound #MasterNumbers

  23. A quotation from Montaigne

    Philosophy does not do battle against such pleasures as are natural, provided that temperance accompanies them; she teaches moderation in such things not avoidance.
     
    [La philosophie n’estrive point contre les voluptez naturelles, pourveu que la mesure y soit joincte : & en presche la moderation, non la fuitte.]

    Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) French essayist
    Essay (1586), “On some Lines of Virgil [Sur des vers de Virgile], Essays, Book 3, ch. 5 (3.5) (1595) [tr. Screech (1987)]

    Sourcing, notes, other translations: wist.info/montaigne-michel-de/…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montaigne #abstinence #delight #enjoyment #moderation #philosophy #pleasure #selfcontrol #sensuality #temperance

  24. A quotation from Montaigne

    Philosophy does not do battle against such pleasures as are natural, provided that temperance accompanies them; she teaches moderation in such things not avoidance.
     
    [La philosophie n’estrive point contre les voluptez naturelles, pourveu que la mesure y soit joincte : & en presche la moderation, non la fuitte.]

    Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) French essayist
    Essay (1586), “On some Lines of Virgil [Sur des vers de Virgile], Essays, Book 3, ch. 5 (3.5) (1595) [tr. Screech (1987)]

    Sourcing, notes, other translations: wist.info/montaigne-michel-de/…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montaigne #abstinence #delight #enjoyment #moderation #philosophy #pleasure #selfcontrol #sensuality #temperance

  25. A quotation from Montaigne

    Philosophy does not do battle against such pleasures as are natural, provided that temperance accompanies them; she teaches moderation in such things not avoidance.
     
    [La philosophie n’estrive point contre les voluptez naturelles, pourveu que la mesure y soit joincte : & en presche la moderation, non la fuitte.]

    Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) French essayist
    Essay (1586), “On some Lines of Virgil [Sur des vers de Virgile], Essays, Book 3, ch. 5 (3.5) (1595) [tr. Screech (1987)]

    Sourcing, notes, other translations: wist.info/montaigne-michel-de/…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montaigne #abstinence #delight #enjoyment #moderation #philosophy #pleasure #selfcontrol #sensuality #temperance

  26. @jwz

    ... I have a VCR in the basement. It might even be hooked up to a TV. I'll just find the nearest ice floe to board, shall I?

    I wish I lived somewhere with real nightlife. Death metal's not really my thing - hair metal, 70s guitar rock absolutely - but Hubba and various other things that go through the DNA feed look like a lot of fun. I live in a government town in a backwater province that never really recovered from prohibition.

    You could put on a show like Hubba here, but you couldn't get a liquor license for it. "Nudity? And alcohol? Oh no, that would never do!". True story: the liquor inspectors closed down a public exhibition of jazzercise [1] at the local fair because it could be seen from the beer gardens, and "ladies in tights" was considered close enough to nudity to be a violation...

    [1] Yes, this was way back when. The regulations are still just as strict.

    #old #prudery #alcohol #temperance

  27. A quotation from Horace:

    «
    Strength without wisdom falls by its own weight;
    The strength that wisdom tempers, the gods increase;
    The gods abhor that strength whose heart knows nothing
    But what impiety is, and it is punished.
    »

    Full quote, sourcing, notes:
    wist.info/horace/73800/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #consideration #counsel #divinefavor #evil #force #judgment #power #strength #temperance #wisdom

  28. A quotation from Horace:

    «
    Strength without wisdom falls by its own weight;
    The strength that wisdom tempers, the gods increase;
    The gods abhor that strength whose heart knows nothing
    But what impiety is, and it is punished.
    »

    Full quote, sourcing, notes:
    wist.info/horace/73800/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #consideration #counsel #divinefavor #evil #force #judgment #power #strength #temperance #wisdom

  29. A quotation from Horace:

    «
    Strength without wisdom falls by its own weight;
    The strength that wisdom tempers, the gods increase;
    The gods abhor that strength whose heart knows nothing
    But what impiety is, and it is punished.
    »

    Full quote, sourcing, notes:
    wist.info/horace/73800/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #consideration #counsel #divinefavor #evil #force #judgment #power #strength #temperance #wisdom

  30. « Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts. »

    — Aristotle

    🔗 · poligraf.tumblr.com/post/73682

    #quotes #Aristotle #morality #excellence #justice #bravery #temperance #habit