Chicago has its own clock. Sometimes it’s sirens or the humidity. Sometimes it’s the screech of the El. And every so often it’s cicadas, an on-schedule reminder that the city doesn’t care whether you’re ready or not.
That’s the feel of “The Illusion.” It’s that moment where something pops and you’re not feeling the same anymore. Something’s slightly different or off, and you’re only just noticing. The track keeps pulling even when it refuses to give you a clean release.
This edition of “The Illusion” features newly recorded drums with Martin Atkins (PiL / Killing Joke / Pigface). The drums don’t sit “on top” of the song, they push it along, like the floor is a conveyor belt and you’re deciding whether to step off.
Bandcamp first: this edition is exclusive here until July 1. If you’re reading this now, you’re early.
That change is what pushed Dr. E. Phunkenbass to step up with a new bass part: a growling roll-bounce groove that drives the song, stays percussive, and keeps it moving forward even when it feels disorienting.
During the bridge, The Original High-C drops a signature nerdcore rap that pivots the energy without breaking the locomotion. And of course, the cicadas return at the end: cyclical, indifferent, inevitable. Right on time.
The questions are the machine
The song is built out of “what if” because “what if” is where the temperature changes. Not the big speeches. Not the headlines. The tiny internal permission slips.
What if, the news is all pretend?
And big brother’s not yo’ fren?
What if, they tagged you as wrong?
Then kicked in your door at dawn?
Is freedom an illusion?
Or…just shared self-delusion?
Did you trade truth for inclusion?
It’s supposed to rock. It’s also supposed to make you squirm a little.
A second purpose
For a limited window ending June 30, 2026 (11:59 PM CT), 100% of Bandcamp receipts from this release will support the Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music (PPIM) located on the South Side of Chicago.
PPIM was created and curated by Martin Atkins. It opened in 2021 and draws from his personal archive alongside donations from artists, friends, fans, and collectors, expanding the museum’s collection well beyond any one person.
This stuff sticks around because people show up and buy the music and keep the scene moving. We would love to see more established artists jump in and do even bigger collabs with Martin Atkins and help raise even more for the cause.
Line-up
Bliss Master D: vocals, guitars, production
Dr. E. Phunkenbass: bass
Minister EZD: backing vocals
Martin Atkins: drums (PiL / Killing Joke / Pigface)
Tom (@deadambassadors): backing vocals
Phil (@littlecrkt): lead guitar
The Original High-C: rap (bridge)
Listen
All platforms: https://www.linktr.ee/theblissmachine
PPIM: https://www.ppimchicago.com/
Subvert.fm: https://www.subvert.fm/the-bliss-machine/tracks/the-illusion-with-martin-atkins
Bandcamp:
Crank it. Sit with it.
If the cicadas feel “right on time,” you’re hearing it.
Subvert.fm and Bandcamp runs through June 30.
Rock on.