Images of Eden: Sunlight of the Spirit

Images of Eden started out as a one-man project years ago, led by Gordon Tittsworth. However, it slowly grew and turned into a real band with the addition of several members over the years. The band released their independent debut Chapter I in 2001, and after that in 2003, they released a three-track demo called Beyond the Horizon, all of which made it onto their new release Sunlight of the Spirit. Of these three songs, "Beyond the Horizon" is a groovy number, utilising plenty of rhythm changes, light-heavy dynamics, acoustic guitars, keyboards, soaring vocals, and melodic guitar lines. "Aladdin" is comparatively uneventful in the way that is serves as a precursor to the album's huge "Spirit of the Sunlight" trilogy. Still, it is important because of its bluesy hard rock leanings and keyboard-generated atmosphere. On the other hand "I Remember When" has been chosen as the middle chapter of their three-form trilogy.

Without doubt, the three pieces that constitute the title track are ambitious and offer a rather different aspect of Images of Eden whose first album was more hard rock with progressive touches. On their new disc, the band uses perfect synth work by Dennis Mullin. "Part I - Emerald Rain" boasts a great orchestration, nice organ sounds, unusual percussion, and a very impressive delivery by Tittsworth. However, the second part is the centrepiece of this long composition. The drumming is tight and the vocals very emotive. They actually evoke Blackie Lawless circa The Crimson Idol (which is a very good thing!) and Gordon Tittsworth's voice works quite well in a tasty symphonic landscape. The piece is finalised with the atmospheric "Part III - Through October Skies", featuring lush acoustic guitars, subtle keyboard layerings, and an overall solemn mood.

The first half of the album is more hard-rocking, with tracks like "Kaleidoscope" that harkens back to the band's earlier days and the catchy "To Live Another Day", highlighted by a melodic interplay between guitars and keyboards. On "Dream-Catcher", the band is at its best. Clocking in at over eight minutes, the song begins with solo piano, picks up acoustic guitars and searing electric leads respectively, with lots of 80's style AOR synths woven in the mix. The meticulous production shines, as nicely plucked acoustic guitar underpin multi-instrumentalist Gordon Tittsworth's guitars and powerful vocal harmonies. There's even a great bass walk at the very end of the piece following a peaceful piano break in the middle.

Images of Eden have improved a lot since their debut. This is decidedly a more progressive release, but still highly melodic and hard-rocking. You need to check them out if you've never heard their music before.

Track Listing

1. Ascension
2. Kaleidoscope
3. Beyond the Horizon
4. To Live Another Day
5. Dream-Catcher
6. A Midsummer Night's Dream
7. Aladdin
8. Part I - Emerald Rain
9. Part II - I Remember When
10. Part III - Through October Skies
11. Ethereal
12. Midnight's Tide

Added: August 27th 2006
Reviewer: Murat Batmaz
Score:
Related Link: Images of Eden website
Hits: 3352
Language: english

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