IMAGES OF EDEN - REBUILDING THE RUINS
NIGHTMARE RECORDS
Metal To Infinity
A
few years ago, Metal To Infinity co-editor Patrick De Sloover did the review for
Images Of Eden’s album called “Sunlight Of The Spirit”, released in 2006
through Nightmare Records. In the end, Pat decided to give the effort a well
deserved, very good rating. We hoped on a quick follow up to this CD but finally,
the wait lasted 5 years, quite a long time actually. To forget and forgiven
their absence in the world of Progressive Hard Rock and Metal music for the past
five years – I'm glad to spread the word of third and brand new full length CD
called “Rebuilding The Ruins”, international available through Nightmare
Records since March 01 – 2011.
The man that gave birth to IOE named Gordon
Tittsworth back in 1999 is still present in the nowadays line up of the band.
Gordon is a very promising multi instrumentalist who has a godlike, unique voice
and he is also ultimate competent based on the deliveries of outstanding rhythm
and bass guitar works – if that isn’t enough, he’ll push you to the limit
with extraordinary additional keyboard lines as well. Hell no, I won’t forget
to tell he’s also the master brain behind the Images Of Eden song writings. It
needs to be said that Gordon is a world class musician who actually deserves
plenty of more attention from the outside world than he got so far. On the new
album “Rebuilding The Ruins” he got musical support from lead guitarist
Dennis Mullin, piano / keyboardist L. Dean Harris and drummer / producer Chris
Lucci.
Playing the first song of the album ‘Crosses In the Sand’, my ears are pleased with a great
sound quality and an amazing song structure. As told before, superb and very
clean vocals in the vein of godlike frontmen such as Geoff Tate, James Labrie
and Ray Alder – musically based, they take my breath away due to loads
of excellent guitar rhythms and a stunning lead guitar demonstration. While
reaching the end, the song becomes into a flow acceleration – brilliant!
It’s obviously clear that fans of Fates Warning, Symphony X, Dream Theater,
Katagory V and Queensryche will have a wonderful time checking out this new IOE
effort!
These guys are professionally able to set their
songs in a very attractive manner… technical and groovy, power guitar riffage
alternating with heartfelt melodic parts delivered by a competent profession
axeman. Leader of the gang Gordon Tittsworth knows how to work out a decent song
structure, be sure about that! Nice and easy on the ears comes a song called
“Memories Unbroken” – every now and than, this one takes me back into the
days of another great ProgMetal act named Katagory V and I'm very happy with
that. Along with track entitled ‘My Stigmata’ comes some more speed up
rhythms from both groovy guitar riffings and rums – all perfectly worked out
and another masterpiece to listen at. “Children Of Autumns’ starts in a melancholic
way with superb vocals and as soon as the piano begins to pluck, the song
reached another, more powerful level including a fantastic guitar solo and even
more pleasant moves to enjoy with full force.
One of the most awesome songs for me is the one that
close the final curtain entitled ‘Sunlight Of The Spirit Part V – Images Of
Eden’. Make yourself comfortable for at least 12 minutes of Progressive Metal
at its best. Guitars those who bring on a lot of high power and energy and when
it comes to the solo works, I feel myself rising up to seventh heaven…
beautiful shreds that takes you by the throat! During the entire album, I only
hear magnificent vocals… loud and very clear, near to high pitched actually,
this is what I call a world class singer! Long story short, make notice of this
awesome last track from Images Of Eden’s new album “Rebuilding The Ruins”
and please … don’t come tell me afterwards you didn’t like this great
composition. If you still do I absolutely refuse to believe you anyway.
Progressive Metal became some kind of a world based hype – I got
my own so called “progfaves” and you got yours which is a fair deal to me.
To make myself more understandable, Images Of Eden’s new output deserved my
complete attention and gets a whole package of total appreciation. Because of
the fact, the entire concept of “Rebuilding The Ruins” (running time: 74+
minutes!!) is very qualitative / professional,
I’d like to tell you all – this is one of my favourite Progressive
Hard Rock / Metal discs at the moment. Check them out right HERE or http://www.myspace.com/imagesofeden
.
My Points: 93 / 100 (Review by Stefan)