Experimental artist ION has released his long-awaited EP, Like A Sickness, an audacious exploration of the boundaries between music, spirituality, and the occult. Known for his genre-defying approach, ION delves into esoteric themes, using sound as a vehicle to navigate madness, occult wisdom, and spiritual preservation. Described by the artist as a “sonic rite,” the EP is not just music but a journey, blending intense soundscapes with ritualistic undertones that challenge conventional perceptions of reality.
Like A Sickness, marks a significant shift in ION’s artistic evolution, embracing a more intimate, ritual-based approach. Across its six tracks, the EP invites listeners into a deeply contemplative space, one that evokes ancient spiritual energies while engaging with modern experimental sound. Tracks like “Mercurii Ritual” and “Homesick” combine ambient drones, primal chants, and dissonant rhythms to create a sense of initiation into a mystical world, where the boundaries between sanity and madness blur.
A standout track, “Surface Tension,” examines the suffocation felt under societal control, amplified by visuals of a psychiatric ward in its music video. ION uses frantic, distorted melodies to evoke the claustrophobic sensation of being trapped by societal expectations, while “Lost in Translation,” sung in his native Albanian, laments the spiritual disconnect from ancient traditions. The closing track, “You Hear Her Too?,” explores dual perceptions of witches, balancing the sacred and the sinister.
ION’s latest EP is a profound work of experimentalism, immersing listeners in a journey that goes beyond passive consumption. With, Like A Sickness, ION pushes the boundaries of music’s role, turning it into a spiritual experience. This EP not only marks a new phase in his creative journey but also challenges listeners to confront deeper themes of mysticism, chaos, and the sacred within themselves.
