Vocalist LORD TIM Quits ILIUM

Australian melodic metallers ILIUM have parted ways with session vocalist Lord Tim (LORD, DUNGEON, FROMBEYOND). Lord Tim's official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"As most of you may know, I have been the 'permanent guest vocalist' for ILIUM since 2003. Essentially that means I was a paid session musician who did ongoing work with the band as well as some additional paid engineering, production, design and video clip work.

"Today I announce my departure from ILIUM as their ongoing session vocalist.

"The reasons for this mostly come down to lack of time for the project. Since LORD's 'Ascendence' album was released this year, things have been absolutely insane for us with 2008 looking only to get even more busy. Aside from LORD, I also have several other projects that I am a part of. Unfortunately, there's only so many hours in the day and a decision had to be made about which additional projects to LORD I could dedicate time to, and that leads me to the other reason I'm withdrawing from ILIUM: lack of enthusiasm.

"I'm a firm believer that fans are not stupid. They can smell a fake and can hear when a performer is merely 'phoning in the performance.' If I do any project, I put in 100% effort otherwise I'm ripping off the fans and I'm selling myself short.

"I recorded my vocals for ILIUM's 'Permian Dusk' and 'Vespertilion' albums in late 2003 and believe they're some of my best work. Since that time, due to differing opinions of how the band presents itself both in promotion and production (which is, of course, not my place to insist on any changes since I am only a 'hired gun'),I've found my enthusiasm for ILIUM continuing to diminish over the years.

"I have the utmost respect for Jason [Hodges, ILIUM guitarist and founder] for what he's put on the line for ILIUM and for the generosity he has shown me in the past. This is the key reason I have continued to work with the band when there were other projects I am associated with that I believe in more. But as I mentioned, lack of time and enthusiasm has finally got the better of me and I believe if we were to continue to work together it would be unfair to both parties and damaging to both our reputations and friendship.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to wish both Jason and Adam [Smith, guitar] all the best with ILIUM. I'm sure they'll have no trouble finding a replacement vocalist that is more than up to the task. I'd like to also thank fans of the band who enjoyed my work with ILIUM, I very much appreciate your kind words."

ILIUM's video for the song "All Control Lost" can be viewed below. The track comes off the band's 2005 album "Permian Dusk".