Its been 13 years of hard work but it seems to have all paid off for the hard-rocking Eidolon. The Parallel Otherworld is a non-stop actionball of metal prowess, held together by a stop-on-a-dime rhythm section, a human riff machine named Glen and one almighty powerful vocalist.
Eidolon was born in 1993 in Toronto, Ontario when The Brothers Drover decided to start a recording studio and concentrate on original instrumental composition. Their 1996 Zero Hour debut added vocals (Brian Soulard), Guitars (Glen Drover), Bass (Criss Bailey), Shawn Drover (drums) and a second guitar (Slav Simanic). Self-produced and self-released in Canada, the U.S., Japan, Australia and parts of Europe, it went on to receive positive reviews.
The 1997 Seven Spirits followup minus Simanic was a loose concept album based on a mans life struggles and forced religious beliefs. The protagonist meets a woman whom he follows into the realm of total evil. With the help of a priest (who has his own problems), he desperately tries to find his way back. This dark theme received mixed reviews, and the band learned lessons from the experience, not the least of which was to stay true to its individualistic vision.
Enter bassist Adrian Robichaud.
Signed by Michael Trengert to Metal Blade, Nightmare World, in 2000, was Eidolons Major Label debut. Released internationally to universally positive reviews, Nightmare World balanced power, aggression and melody to create a stunning sweep of metal grandeur. Rather than tour, Eidolon went right back into the studio to create 2001s Hallowed Apparition, a more streamlined sledgehammer-to-the-skull assault which stripped the keyboards in an effort to successfully attain its blunt force. Again, excellent reviews ensued. Shortly thereafter its release, an invite to perform at Germanys Bang Your Head festival alongside Judas Priest, Megadeth, Stratovarius and other Major League metal bands resulted in Eidolons greatest concert moment as it rocked the house in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans.
Exit vocalist Soulard. Enter vocalist Pat Mulock for the recording of 2002s Coma Nation, an exercise in speedzip athleticism, epic grandiosity and slow heavy-as-hell sludge.
Apostles Of Defiance appeared in 2003 (Along with a special release of previous demo Sacred Shrine on Perris Records), proving to be the bands heaviest album to date. An appearance at the prestigious Wacken Open-Air festival garnered the band more raves. Still, as it usually happens in the ever-changing metal community, Eidolon was put on hold for almost three years (Along with side project band Dimension Infinite), as The Brothers Drover joined Megadeth in 2004.
Along with Nils K Rue of Pagan's Mind, Eidolon has recorded its career record. Its pedigree intact, its reputation secure, Eidolon has never sounded this self-assured and provocative. Beware The Parallel Otherworld!