STATE OF ILLUSION Confronts The Fear of Failure In Their New Video "Death Is Not The End"

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. 

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

STATE OF ILLUSION Release New Single and Lyric Video “Wasted Life," From the Upcoming Re-Release of Pluto’s Ghost Out 4/17

STATE OF ILLUSION return with “Wasted Life,” a crushing progressive metal statement and the latest single from the upcoming re-release of Pluto’s Ghost, arriving April 17.

Driven by jagged, angular rhythms and percussive drop G chugs, “Wasted Life” delivers urgency and weight through intricate riffing and relentless momentum. Lyrically, the song confronts the haunting realization of unrealized potential and existential doubt.

The song’s origin was immediate and undeniable. One morning, founder and songwriter Jacob Porter woke up with the main riff fully formed in his head and recorded it on the spot. What followed became one of the most challenging writing processes of his career. The chorus proved elusive and was rewritten 17 times over several months before the final version came together. That persistence paid off. “Wasted Life” has since become a live favorite and currently closes STATE OF ILLUSION’s set with explosive intensity.

“Wasted Life” is taken from the re-release of Pluto’s Ghost, a record born from isolation, persistence, and an unwillingness to let go. Written and produced by Jacob Porter, founder, vocalist, and primary songwriter behind STATE OF ILLUSION, the album unfolds as a deeply personal journey through isolation, grief, and endurance. Blending expansive atmosphere with intricate instrumentation and emotionally driven songwriting, Pluto’s Ghost showcases the band’s dynamic range across progressive rock and metal landscapes.

With the release of the “Wasted Life” lyric video, STATE OF ILLUSION invite listeners deeper into the emotional core of the record, where heaviness meets honesty and self doubt transforms into clarity.