Musical Style: Melodic Heavy Metal	Produced By: Gordon Tittsworth & Steve Dorssom
Record Label: Pavement Entertainment	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2021	Artist Website: Images Of Eden
Tracks: 12	Rating: 90%
Running Time: 68:16

Melodic, heavy, progressive. Images Of Eden gives you all three. Hence, Angel Born, the groups March of 2021 Pavement Entertainment fifth full-length album in which it maintains an affinity for a three sided musical approach. On one hand, Angel Born carries over the continuity of 2018 fourth album Soulrise (also Pavement Entertainment) by accentuating ample doses of melodic songwriting rooted in the accessible but not without forsaking the heaviness of metal territory. On the other, the album also mirrors the Images Of Eden penchant for the progressive in drawing upon the technical and lengthy songwriting of second and third releases Rebuilding The Ruins and Sunlight Of TheSpirit from 2011 and 2006, respectively.    

Also unchanged is the Images Of Eden mission, which reinforces how, “each (album) is a chapter in the tale of a life's journey, dealing specifically with the trials and darkness that each of us must face in this world, each track is meant to inspire the listener to overcome these obstacles through human perseverance strengthened by guidance from above”. 

Message is every bit focused with Angel Born: "In the midst of the most trying times the world has faced, Images of Eden’s Angel Born is a beacon of light in a dark world that anyone can relate to. The album is a universal message of hope and inspiration conveyed through real-life struggles of hardship and pain that we all face”.

Opener “Autumn Is Burning” represents quintessential Images Of Eden.  It resonates of the darkly melodic, home to blocky rhythm guitars as ill-boding keyboards burnish the back end, but also giving prominence to sinuous vocal melodies that further embellish the distinguished melody to command.  All the while founding and rhythm guitarist Gordon Tittsworth puts on display his emotional but passionate classic tenor vocal style.

In similar form but heavier is albums title track.  “Angel Born” highlights both a bigger guitar and drum presence, noting the compact work of Tittsworth and heavy-footed timekeeper Steve Dorssom, and equally pleasing melody, revealed in the standout Images Of Eden harmonies.  Lead guitarist Victor Morrell separates with his furbished soloing. Lyric snippet:

Let the wind open your wings
And fly you away
I dream of you angel born
Now you’re gone and I’m all alone
I will remember you every day
Please carry me now…
You will always be my angel born

“You were the one that taught me how to fly
Together we’ll open our wings in this ‘twice upon a time’…”

I identify with “My Promise” as albums least remarkable track.  No, far from bad, but due to the abbreviated three and a half minute length I find the song is not give opportunity to establish itself in similar fashion as its better Angel Born cohorts.  Images Of Eden are not a less than four-minute song type band.

“Where Dreams Begin” better aligns with the groups sound.  It kicks in at once, assuming from the get go with its assertive flair, as found in the rousing verse sections, but also every bit curtly done, manifested in the to the point (but quite memorable) refrain.  Song proves an effective joining of the decisive and hook driven.  Lyric snippet:

Where dreams begin…
Now long before I opened your eyes
I knew you and gave your dream to you
So take a look inside your heart
And tell me what does it say to do?
Where dreams begin

Now be silent
Let time stand still in your mind

“If?” is first of albums two lengthy Shadow Gallery like ballads.  Coming in at just under seven minutes, song opens its first two to a delectable joining of acoustic guitar and feedback as keyboards dance in the backdrop.  As rhythm guitar crash in, somber tinctures reveal over the final five to see the expansive melody further reinforced and eloquent emotion play a delicate role.  An extensive instrumental run gives way to the heavyset drums at the end.

“Killing God” rates with albums most aggressive cuts.  Guitars play a prevalent role in powering the songs length but so do elevated keyboards (in touching upon the industrial) and occasional harshly done vocals (mirroring the extreme).  Yet, accessibility does not forsake in that “Killing God” proves engaging despite the astringent circumstances.  Lyric snippet:

When I first kissed your face
I would have forever held you in my arms
So hold tight to me
I’d do anything…
Anything to keep you safe from harm

All I want is for you to love me back!
I give my all for nothing in return

All I want is for you to love me!
We’re killing God

Classy Triumph cover “Fight The Good Fight” ensues.  Images Of Eden does a choice job imbuing its signature sound, with guitars consistently hitting harder than the original and Tittsworth proving a bit more soulful vocally as opposed to the classic tenor croon of Rik Emmet.  That said the group is also adept at staying true to the song, as found in the calm opening with the recognizable melodic keyboard line and reinforcing the distinct militant guitar rhythms.

Ominous plodder “War Room” stands apart with an impenetrable mid-paced complexion to see an unfathomable low-end - noting Eric Mulvaine’s chugging bass line - join with lightly done modern overtones, albeit not to a fault.  Surprisingly, refrain smoothes out with its even, harmony driven bent.  Lyric snippet:

I know this is so hard for you to believe
Because I have loved you longer than you could dream
So no matter what the mirror shows you right now
You will always be perfect to me
Dry your eyes
Don’t cry yourself to sleep

The world has soured you
But I will rebuild you
Because I never want to lose you

Also ably done is second ballad “Serenity Reign”.  It takes an added hard rock approach compared to “If?”, revealed in the starkly done guitars to power in and out of the mix, albeit still upholding the commercial laced themes, divulged in the drifting acoustic vestiges and spot on Images Of Eden vocal melodies.  Along with “If?”, it represents some of albums finer moments.

“Animation In A Still World” is another heavy hitter.  It begins to soaring feedback prior to launching in to a contentious joining of snarling guitars and intrusive drums, which walk a fine line between power metal and thrash as the group unveils its assailing licks and chops.  Instrumentally, I appreciate the cool lead guitar and keyboard trade off.  Lyric snippet:

Worldwide deception
Please pay attention
You’ve been so easy to mislead
Still you lie in-between the lines
Yet you continue to deny

In a still world that is so naive
In a still world where truth is never well-received
Don’t hate the victim, hate the enemy
For you were also once deceived

A light progressive complexion reveals on “Marigold Sun”.  Majority of the song takes a hard rocking stance, as a driving proclivity and return to industrial influences keyboards align with swirling backing vocals to hint of King’s X, particularly for the sweeping refrain.  An abrupt time change, however over the final minute and half speaks of a calmer acoustic lacing with touches of piano.

A heavier progressive complexion reveals on closer “In Memory Of Me”.  In true progressive masterpiece fashion, it highlights its share of twists and turns, including the opening four minutes in which piano and violin join with rousing guitars and lower register vocals, and subsequent three to take a more powerful turn as assertive guitars and resounding drums elevate tempo exponentially into metal territory.  Song closes as it began tranquilly with piano, acoustic guitar and violin coalescing with occasional somber guitars in pointing to the dramatic.  Lyric snippet:

Always remember I am never gone
But God brought me home
Now I stand behind the stage
As I watch the rest of your play

I know you will make me proud of you
Like you always do
You shed too many tears for me
So dry your eyes and know…

Angel Born adds up to another strong Images Of Eden album.  Yes, a bit of variety but in a good sense as melodic metal, ballads and progressive moments combine for a landscape to speak of the accessible and technical but always listenable.  As always, the group demonstrates adept musicianship and vocals not to mention solid production and packaging.  If a fan of Images Of Eden or metal with light progressive vestiges then Angel Born comes strong recommended.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Autumn Is Burning” (4:59), “Angel Born” (5:09), “My Promise” (3:37), “Where Dreams Begin” (4:32), “If?” (6:52), “Killing God” (4:06), “Fight The Good Fight” (6:06), “War Room” (4:38), “Serenity Reign” (6:05), “Animation In A Still World” (4:49), “Marigold Sun” (5:54), “In Memory Of Me” (11:11)

Musicians
Gordon Tittsworth - Lead Vocals, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitar
Victor Morrell - Lead Guitar
L. Dean Harris - Piano & Keyboards
Eric Mulvaine - Bass Guitar
Steve Dorssom - Drums & Percussion