Images Of Eden: Sunlight Of The Spirit | Intelligence to Power
(IOE Productions/Nightmare-Records – 2006)
Obviously, we know that this is not Images Of Eden’s latest album. In fact, the work in question dates back to 2006, but it is one of those albums that we never got around to reviewing, so better late than never, and there is no better opportunity than when we have a great album in our hands.
Let’s take a look back at their history. Images Of Eden is an American band that has been active since 1998 and remains so today, having released several albums over the years. Sunlight Of The Spirit is their second official album, classified as what we might call progressive metal, something very much in vogue in those years, although it never became a very popular genre, perhaps due to the pomposity of the different offerings and their marked lack of commercial pretensions.
What perhaps sets Images Of Eden apart from other similar bands is their great musical versatility, the presence of a great voice like Gordon Tittsworth’s, and their very interesting instrumental and compositional work. It is well known that what stands out most in this genre is great musical skill, and Images Of Eden is no exception, offering not only great compositions, but also different moods and lyrics that set them apart from the clichés for which Christian bands are known.
Indeed, in “Sunlight Of The Spirit,” Images Of Eden offers us a conceptual work that traverses different moods and explores different terrains. While the overall theme of the album is framed by spiritual and personal concepts, the story told throughout the album sounds not only interesting but also highly poetic and literary.
“Kaleidoscope” is the first track on the album, following the intro “Ascension,” a free sample of riffs and a sound that brings them closer than ever to Power/Heavy Metal. It is closely followed by “Beyond The Horizon” and “To Live Another Day,” intermingling sweet melodies and the occasional guitar base strong enough to justify their inclusion in the Metal genre.
With “Dream-Catcher,” things seem to be much more experimental, showing the more instrumental and pretentious side of Images Of Eden with a song that goes through several moods in the same song. Without a doubt, one of the high points and a turning point in the album.
Another melodic track like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” adds a lot to a work like this, with an excellent solo and excellent guitar riffs. Just like that, we move on to “Aladdin,” a much stronger attempt with a mesmerizing riff and a Hard Rock vibe that makes it very interesting.
Moving on to the last part of the album, we find “Sunlight Of The Spirit,” which is divided into three different parts, “Emerald Rain,” “I Remember When,” and “Through October Skies”; the result is a composition with different nuances, achieving another of the album’s highlights.
But there’s more; preceded by the keyboard instrumental “Ethereal,” the closing track appears. “Midnight’s Tide” is a song that simulates a dark atmosphere, with good riffs and a growing rhythm. It is one of the hardest songs on the album and, at the same time, a kind of summary of the entire album’s content. Extensive and sublime, it is a beautiful way to put an end to a great work.
“Sunlight Of The Spirit” does not pretend to be a revelation in the progressive metal genre, nor is it a work that stands out beyond the fact that, as a whole, it is a good work that will mark the direction of Images Of Eden from here on out.
This edition has artwork that we consider appropriate, with an intriguing, original cover that is close to the concept the band wants to convey with this album. Inside the sleeve, you can find the lyrics, technical details of the recording, and a heavily retouched photo of the band.
Sound production may not be their strong suit, although it can be said that the engineering, mixing, and mastering work is also adequate.
We do not know if this album is currently available, although it appears that it can be obtained through the band itself at https://www.imagesofeden.com/ or on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/imagesofeden/#.
