Eidolon
The Parallel Otherworld

July 2006
Released: 2006, Escapi Music Group
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: MetalChick

Eidolon features the unique voice of Nils K. Rue from Norwegian band Pagan’s Mind, thus at first listen Eidolon sounds like a heavier, more progressive version of Pagan’s Mind without the keyboards. Heaviness and prog is a wonderful combination, laced with some insane shredding guitar solos here – some of the best I’ve heard in a long time. Every song is skillfully executed, never a jumble of progressive pieces. The album gets more straightforward as it goes along, and it’s about the last third of it where it all starts to sound the same.



They begin the album with the 11-minute title track. It’s not often you see a band put the epic first, but it works just fine here. This is where the similarities between this band and the vocalist’s other one begin, then diminish afterwards. The song I prefer is “Ghost World,” probably because the chorus is so catchy, whereas most of the rest of the album just simply rocks with no particular standout moments.



Nothing (besides the guitar solos) is extravagant or flashy. The goodness is in their ability to create some seriously heavy metal. I don’t mind if songs start to blend together towards the end. There just isn’t a bad song on here. And I hope they keep Rue on as vocalist; he really makes this album extra strong.

Eidolon
The Parallel Otherworld

July 2006
Released: 2006, Escapi Music
Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewer: Anders Sandvall

Eidolon was put together 1993 by the Drover brothers, who are now members of Megadeth. This current album is their 7th, and they have also switched labels with THE PARALLEL OTHERWORLD to Escapi Music. Their previous album, APOSTLES OF DEFIANCE, came out in 2003; the reason the follow-up has taken so long is because the brothers have been out on the road with Megadeth.



Eidolon’s music can best be described as technical heavy/thrash metal with dark progressive parts. They sound a bit like Nevermore; the band’s new singer, Nils K. Rue (Pagan’s Mind), does wonders behind the mic. What an amazing voice that man has.



THE PARALLEL OTHERWORD takes you on a 10-track ride in which the Drovers do a cover of Mercyful Fate's "The Oath", where both Michael Dener and Hank Sherman do guest appearances on lead guitar. The cover is a tasty tribute to a legendary band. Other guests that tag along on lead guitar in THE PARALLEL OTHERWORLD are Michael Romeo (Symphony X), Chris Caffery (Savatage), Kim Mitchell (Max Webster) and Frank Aresti (Fates Warning).



The material is really technical, but it's not too hard for skilled musicians that do wonders with music and lyrics. The album is equally strong all the way through, and you can't wish for anything else. It is necessary to say that it takes a few listens before you can fully enjoy the album, but I promise you that you won’t be able to set it aside for a while. It was a genius move to engage Nils K. Rue on vocals; he has a varied vocal range that does the music and the lyrics justice. This is an album you didn't know you were waiting for and I really hope that it doesn't take too long before we can enjoy the 8th album by the magical Drover brothers and their brilliant Eidolon.