Images of Eden - Sunlight Of The Spirit
  Genre: Progressive Metal/Rock
  Release Date: 2006
  Label: Nightmare Records
  Band Web Site:

Gordon Tittsworth had a huge reason to be proud in 2001. He had just released the first Images of Eden record, which was entitled Chapter 1. This record was the culmination of almost two years of hard work and dedication that would force most musicians to check into the looney bin. Not only did GT write the songs and perform the vocals, he also played guitar, bass and keyboards (he had a session drummer). Whew! Now that he had an album recorded, and a name for his new band, he needed one more thing…a band! He found the first piece of the puzzle when he recruited guitarist Dennis Mullin from the progressive rock band Illuvatar. Several drummers, keyboardists, and bassists came and gone while the new band started to play the Baltimore club circuit. Stability on the drum riser would come with the addition of drummer Matt Kaiser, and Brian Gulin from the band Hyperchild joined on bass for awhile. This lineup would last almost a year before Gulin decided to part ways. Although he was now short a bass player, Tittsworth did not let that stop him and his new mates. He felt that he had finally had the musicians he had been searching for all of his life. Armed with his most compelling set of songs yet, the trio headed into the studio to record the follow-up album to Chapter 1, which was titled Sunlight Of The Spirit.

In an interview I conducted with Gordon Tittsworth, he says “The one thing about Images of Eden, and this wasn’t something that I meant to do, it’s just something that kind of started so I’m running with it... Each album starts where the last one leaves off. It’s like an ongoing story and progression through life, told in a positive and uplifting way. The first album began as thematic. It’s about putting the past behind and starting brand new, finding this “estranged”, peaceful world... after the “demons” have all gone away.” He describes it more poignantly than I ever could right there. Now that the past is behind you and you have fought all the problems of the world, it is time to enter Eden again. So, my friends, let’s push play and let Sunlight Of The Spirit be our guide back into Eden.

If you close your eyes and listen to the opening intro “Ascension”, you get the feeling that your spirit (no pun intended) is leaving your body and is escaping the physical plane. Eden awaits!

Well, I say, if Eden is anything like the opening song “Kaleidoscope” , I never want to leave! A punchy mid-tempo riff and the pitch perfect drumming are backed by a subtle keyboard texture, and then GT’s powerful vocals take over. His vocal delivery sounds even better here than it does on Chapter 1, if that was even possible! Awesome chorus harmonies in this one, and Mullin delivers the perfect riff! Musical perfection!

Soothing sounds of the keys and the sweet textures of the guitars are now taking you “Beyond The Horizon”. This song is beauty personified! GT hits some awesome high notes and tells us “Don’t tear yourself apart over things out of your control”. This song is a rallying cry for you to get up and find your own Eden, instead of waiting for Eden to come to you. Beauty and heaviness are balanced perfectly in this song, which would be a perfect single.

“To Live Another Day” talks about the long journey it takes to get to where you want to be in life. Punctuated by Rush-esque guitars and atmospheric keys (and a cool keyboard solo) this song is a short, but sweet track. A testament to the triumph of the human spirit.

A William Blake quote over a military style drum roll, piano, and strings begin the breathtakingly epic journey that is “Dream-Catcher”. The sounds build and the tension mounts…the intensity is about take over! It’s gonna get heavy! Nope..nope…they are maing you wait! A Zeppelin-esque movement begins and acoustic guitars and pianos take over before GT says “You’ll never be in heaven without going through hell”. The calm takes over again as this songs shifts tones once again. Once you have calmed yourself down and the defenses are gone, then the madness takes over with some bad ass riffing and some awesome soloing! A song that tests your patience in a good way! This song is an instant classic.

All of need someone to love in our lives, and if you have one, it is the greatest gift in the world. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” showcases all the beauty that there is in spending quality time with the person you love. Indulge yourself in the serenity of the acoustic guitars while GT sings of the joy of the moment, of indulging in the fruits that some call sinful, but what I call beauty and bliss. The beauty is disrupted as the acoustic melodies give away to electric riffing and you can sense that the moment is about to get nasty in a good way! Let the party begin!

While the beauty of love is explored in the previous track, the meaty guitar riff and the sleazy rhythm of “Aladdin” suggest that things have progressed to good a good old down and dirty romp in the sheets. This song is about as close to sex, drugs and rock n’ roll as Images of Eden is gonna get. Man, this is a fun track, from the awesome riffs to the nasty snarl of the guitar solo. A heavy rock ode to the sins of carnal knowledge.

We go from celebratory to somber with the first track of the Sunlight Of The Spirit trilogy, entitled “Emerald Rain”. The sound of falling rain is punctuated by the toll of a bell and a lonely guitar as GT’s vocals sing of remembrance of what once was. Later, the song shifts to a heavy riff and GT pouring all the emotion he can muster in to one amazing vocal performance. A perfect song to reflect on lost loves, lost relatives, lost whatever! Get your tissues out because this song will make the tears come.

Part 2, “I Remember When”, is an ode to those lost, but also a testament of strength as the message is “Now I‘m serene, now I’ve found peace. I am whole now and ready to start again“. I love the riff in this track, this song is so heavy! GT’s vocals on this track are incredible as well. A short track, but a powerful statement!

The trilogy concludes with the optimistic beauty of “Through October Skies”. The recovery from our loss is complete, we have beaten the past, and we are ready to take on the world! Another powerful song which showcases GT’s dynamic vocal range and Dennis Mullin’s multi faceted guitar work. A perfect end to the trilogy.

One of the most beautiful piano lines I have ever heard drives the short, but beautiful instrumental “Ethereal”. Short, simple instrumental. Very nice piece!

Reflections abound in the coup de grace, which is “Midnight’s Tide”. By far, the most powerful song on the album, full of awesome riffage, killer drumming, and some arrangements that may make Dream Theater green with envy! Gordon’s vocals are simply superb on this track as he powers us through a recollection of our lives as we look back on our mistakes, our losses, our sorrows, and we use those experiences to help us make our lives the best we can. SIMPLY AWESOME! I have heard few epics that are better than this one!

Production on this album is great! Everything sounds perfect in the mix and nothing overpowers anything. Musically, Images of Eden boasts a powerful trio of musicians. Guitarist Dennis Mullin can play almost any style that the music calls for, whether it be meaty mid-tempo riffs, beautifully crafted solos and acoustic interludes, or even fast paced metal riffs! He can do it all well. Drummer Matt Kaiser is a very skilled drummer, showcasing power and precision on the skins. His style puts me in mind of Mike Portnoy or Neal Peart. Gordon Tittsworth once again wears multiple musician-hats, playing bass with skill, keyboards with beauty and elegance, and belting out phenomenal vocals! I have heard few vocalists that have the power and emotion that GT has. He pours his heart and soul into every single syllable. Even though he is not on this recording, I have to acknowledge and welcome the band’s new bass player Bryan Wierman. A longtime friend of Gordon Tittsworth, Wierman adds another critical piece to the band’s sound. I look forward to seeing him live again and hearing him on future recordings.

Images of Eden should be proud of themselves. With Sunlight Of The Spirit, they have not only made one of the best progressive metal/rock albums of the year, they have re-written the rulebook on progressive metal. I am not bullshitting here: If there is any justice in this world of ours, Sunlight Of The Spirit will go down as one of the greatest progressive metal offerings of all time. Never before have I heard an album with such emotional depth and power! Such a delicate balance of walking the tightrope between complexity and accessibility! It is a REAL record. You feel what the writers are feeling, as if you just took their joy and pain and sorrow and put it into yourself. Images of Eden are more than a band, and Sunlight Of The Spirit is more than an album…it is a spiritual gate to a new awakening. Go out and buy this album and find your own Eden today!

Review written by: Matt B.        
Date: May 25, 2006             
Rating: 5 stars out of 5