Post by jptheprofessor on Jan 6, 2008 23:11:01 GMT -5
IMAGES OF EDEN – SUNLIGHT OF THE SPIRIT (Nightmare Records) From the Baltimore/York region, Images Of Eden’s journey began in 1998 as the brainchild of founder, singer, bassist and keyboardist Gordon Tittsworth. The second album, Sunlight of the Spirit, is the second chapter and progression of Images Of Eden’s concept and sound. Elaborating on the progressive hard rock/metal sound that surfaced on the self-titled debut, Sunlight of the Spirit expands on the theme of Eden as a personal state of mind each person must ultimately define within themselves. Tittsworth, guitarist/keyboardist Dennis Miller and drummer Matt Kaiser craft a sound undeniably rooted in the classic progressive hard rock/metal traditions of Queensryche, Fates Warning and Dream Theater; with detailed and lavish song arrangements, frequent tempo and chord shifts, dramatic and climactic twists and turns, and more. Tittsworth sells his song material with a powerful siren-like call in the tradition of Queensryche’s Geoff Tate or Fates’ Ray Alder. Images Of Eden demonstrates their ability to craft tight and concise melodies on shorter numbers such as the charged opening combo “Ascension/Kaleidoscope,” the majestic and serene “Beyond the Horizon,” the driving “To Live Another Day” and the powerful “Aladdin.” The group can also deliver the expansive epic as well, demonstrated on the 8-minute-plus “Dream-Catcher,” the 11-minute-plus closer “Midnight’s Tide” and the nearly 15-minute, three-part title adventure “Sunlight of the Spirit.” The group’s arrangements display smooth transitions between tension and release and from journey to side-journey, as well as a crisp balance between the various guitar and keyboard textures. The group’s production enables everything to be clearly heard; and while the group’s soundscapes are usually busy, they are never needlessly cluttered or overblown. These aural panoramas smoothly gel into a cohesive whole album that flows nearly seamlessly from start to end. Images Of Eden shows convincing power, finesse and a sense of adventure on Sunlight of the Spirit, and this latest chapter of the group’s sonic journey is a triumphant, intelligent and uplifting album well worth exploring. (The CD can be obtained through the group’s website, www.imagesofeden.com).