AN ABSTRACT ILLUSION
Atmospheric progressive death metal from Sweden
An Abstract Illusion is a progressive death metal band from Sweden, formed in 2007 and signed to Willowtip Records. Their music bridges the violence of death metal with the emotion of cinematic soundscapes, where dense layers of guitars, ethereal synths, and haunting melodies coexist in constant motion. Each composition feels like a world of its own, shaped by contrast, beauty, chaos, light, and shadow.
Their debut Illuminate the Path (2016) revealed a rare sense of depth and purpose, but it was Woe (2022) that placed them among the most compelling names in the genre. Praised for its emotional power and compositional ambition, the album became a modern landmark in progressive death metal, unfolding as a single, continuous journey through despair and hope.
With The Sleeping City (2025), An Abstract Illusion opened a new chapter. The record trades the darkness of Woe for vivid color and light, blending electronic and orchestral influences inspired by Vangelis and John Carpenter. Its glowing synths, expressive dynamics, and cinematic atmosphere reveal a band unafraid to explore new territory, where tenderness and intensity coexist in perfect balance.
After performing at ProgPower Europe in 2023 alongside Wilderun, a Scandinavian tour with IOTUNN in early 2025, and an upcoming European run with Disillusion in 2026, ProgStorm Festival will mark An Abstract Illusion’s first-ever performance in North America.