In “Death Is Not The End”, STATE OF ILLUSION consider a number of poignant themes including a literal meaning through a belief in an afterlife, that creativity prevails and the end of one chapter does not equate to the absence of meaning in ones life, and that the impact of art lives on. “Death Is Not The End” is an intense and intricate progressive metal offering, taken from the upcoming re-release of Pluto’s Ghost, arriving April 17.
On “Death Is Not The End”, founder and songwriter Jacob Porter reveals the personal meaning of the track, and Pluto’s Ghost: “For me, I felt almost totally alone while writing Pluto’s Ghost. I had a terrible case of writer’s block and felt abandoned by something I’d previously felt was a gift in my ability to write songs. It felt like I would never play live shows again as State of Illusion because for two years, I couldn’t find band members and I couldn’t continue State of Illusion as a studio project because I’d lost the ability to write songs.”
“Death Is Not The End” concludes Pluto’s Ghost, and draws together thematic and musical threads that have been carefully woven throughout the track list leading to this point. The emotional effect is heightened through ethereal moments, and greater extremes of contrast between the fierce heaviness and quieter sections.
The accompanying music video to “Death Is Not The End” portrays a juxtaposition of reciprocal love and happiness found in everyday, often mundane moments, and an underlying darkness as shown through medication and glimpses of suffering in solitude. The narrative of video sees a couple celebrate the happy news of pregnancy while the father’s health deteriorates leading to his passing. The song explores multiple interpretations through its lyrics and the video, allowing audiences to relate through their own lived experiences.
About STATE OF ILLUSION:
STATE OF ILLUSION is a progressive rock and metal project rooted in atmosphere, emotion, and complexity, formed in Greenville, South Carolina in 2005. Blending heavy, intricate instrumentation with expansive soundscapes and soaring, melodic choruses, the band focuses on creating music that feels immersive and deeply human without sacrificing power or precision.
At the core of STATE OF ILLUSION is songwriter, vocalist, and producer Jacob Porter, whose approach emphasizes mood, texture, and emotional honesty. The band’s music often explores themes of grief, identity, faith, ambition, and perseverance, balancing aggression with vulnerability and technicality with accessibility. Progressive structures and layered arrangements coexist with hooks designed to resonate long after the song ends.
Across releases like Aphelion and Pluto’s Ghost, STATE OF ILLUSION has refined a sound that feels both cinematic and personal, drawing influence from progressive and alternative heavy music while maintaining a distinct voice. The project has shared stages with artists such as COLD, STAIND, CHEVELLE, BREAKING BENJAMIN, SEETHER, SHINEDOWN, SPIRITBOX, and many others, including touring as direct support on COLD’s Year of the Spider 20th anniversary tour.
STATE OF ILLUSION continues to evolve as a collaborative band, driven by the belief that heavy music can be emotional, introspective, and expansive without losing its intensity.
STATE OF ILLUSION is:Jacob Porter – vocals
Shandon Fair – guitar
Cody Dabbs – guitar
Gunnar VanWingerden – bass
Bryce Chism – drums
Connect With STATE OF ILLUSION:
Official Website: www.stateofillusionmusic.com
Bandcamp: https://stateofillusion.bandcamp.com/
E-Shop: https://stateofillusionmusic.storenvy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StateofIllusion
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofillusionmusic/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/stateofIllusio1
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/stateofillusion
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ItB6evAEFio44kFAbxYDT?si=d66224a4c2514179
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/state-of-illusion/284774718
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stateofillusionmusic
Pluto’s Ghost Tracklist:
- Intro
- Deja Vu
- Yet So Far
- Starlight
- Wasted Life
- Heal the Heartache
- Along the Way
- Enough
- Crashing Down
- Artificial Paradise
- Rain
- Home
- Death is Not the End