Iluvatar

Iluvatar takes its name from a deity imagined by J.R. Tolkein in the mythical epic The Silmarillion. The ensemble originated in Baltimore during 1992 when vocalist Glenn McLaughlin joined forces with drummer Gary Chambers, bassist Dean Morekas, guitarist Dennis Mullin, and keyboardist Jim Rezek. Echoing the approach of 1970s progressive rock acts such as Genesis, Marillion, Styx, and Pink Floyd, the five musicians expanded conventional rock structures through intricate technique and the addition of jazz and classical ingredients. They remain recognized above all for compositions built on shifting meters and for lyrics delivered with genuine emotion. Their debut appeared on Kinesis Records in 1993 and quickly became that label’s top seller. Visibility both at home and abroad increased once Kinesis issued the follow-up, Children, in 1995. On that album Iluvatar positioned themselves at the forefront of the 1990s progressive movement by merging startling formal designs and sudden metric shifts with soaring, melody-driven choruses. Following the record’s appearance the lineup cycled through several drummers; Rick Fleischmann and Allen Brunelle both appear on the 1997 release Sideshow. Brunelle accompanied the group on international dates promoting Sideshow, yet Chris Mack ultimately joined the band in December 1997. Kinesis put out the ensemble’s most recent studio album, A Story Two Days Wide, in 1999.