IMAGES OF EDEN... THE END OF PROGRESSIVE METAL

From Gordon Tittsworth (1-31-2012):

I waited until the time was right to post this, and this was not an overnight decision...

After becoming involved in multiple musical projects and really diving into other rock/ metal subgenres over the last several years, my musical insprations have changed drastically, and my personal evolution in this musical journey has progressed (no pun intended) into a different direction.

Although I will always be a fan of progressive metal, I must announce that Images of Eden will no longer continue as a progressive metal band. I apologize in advance if this news is disappointing to any of our fans. I cannot thank you all enough for your loyalty, support and friendship over the last 10 years, but the time has come to close the door to this chapter. I can honestly say that it has been a great journey and I got out of it what I hoped, and much more. During this time, we have 3 great releases under our belt and I have proven to myself that I can write, record, perform and release professional material that can stack up against the "big boys", which our reviews have proven. I only hope that our existing fans will continue to embrace our music and that you will accept/ enjoy our new material as you did during our "prog-years".

I can say that it is that the "rewards" of playing this style of music are nowhere remotely near the effort that is put into it (writing, recording, promoting, etc.). Let's face it- prog-metal is just about the most challenging sub-genre of rock/metal (or music for that matter) that has one of the smallest (if not the smallest), most specific niche audience. Playing this style requires a HUGE amount of work, and for what... to play to a very small worldwide fan base- so small that we all almost know each other within a degree or two of separation? Many of us know each other personally. So I asked myself, "WTF am I doing? Doesn’t it make more sense to play a different genre that I love, which has a broader fan base, is more accessible, more fun, and DEFINITELY more rewarding?" My ventures with Dread The Forsaken have completely opened my eyes to this, and have made me realize that to continue down the prog-metal path is just a massive waste of time for me.

I know what people will say, "So, now you sellin’ out?" Very simple answer - I don’t sell out! Selling out would be to turn yourself into something you’re not only to make money. I have been a HUGE fan of many other hard rock/ metal styles my entire life so I now have the chance to pursue something much more worthwhile. A very respected member in the progressive-metal scene told me, "You're not going to get rich playing progressive metal. People who play this style/ genre do so only because they love this style." Well, it's not like my #1 goal is to get rich, but there is the concept of "time well spent", and continuing to play prog-metal is definitely not time well spent.

So, what does the future sound hold for Images of Eden? Well musically, expect the unexpected, but I can tell you that one thing will never change- the 100% "heart on my sleeve", passionate, writing/ delivery that has always been there! I promise this.

I will never regret the path that Images of Eden has taken to date. In fact, I will always embrace it as an amazing chapter, but now it is time to move onto a new chapter of IOE. Stay tuned!!!