The band Eidolon dates back to 1993, when Canadian brothers Glen (guitar) and Shawn (drums) Drover made the decision to start up a recording studio and concentrate on musical recordings. At the time they were a neo-classical instrumental metal band, writing non-vocalized recordings. Soon it was realized that a real band needed to be formed in order to make the true musical statement they wanted to make. The guys from Toronto landed on power metal as their outlet. Their debut album saw the light of day in 1996.

SEVEN SPIRITS (1997, 1998) PULSE RECORDS

Eidolon's second release is one great album! Originally released independently, my version is a reissue (the font and color of the band name is different than on the one pictured above), with 2 bonus-tracks. Eidolon play power metal, the American way. And there are plenty of cool riffs here. But the thing that struck me the most with this album, is that it is a concept-album. It's about a man struggling with his childhood faith, a girl trying to carry him away from it, and the return to his first beliefs. To me this album talks about the salvation of God, and the Seven Spirits guiding him back. (Here is what Eidolon's official website say about the story: The story is based upon a man's struggle with his life and his " forced upon " religious beliefs. Not seeming to get the answers he is looking for, he is soon to meet a beautiful woman who wants to show him another way to live and believe - but he is soon to find out that this way is supreme evil!!!!!! Can he find his way back?? He consults his life-long priest, ( who has his own struggles ) for help, but is it too late???) 'Seven Spirits' also contains an awesome cover of Ozzy Osbourne's "Diary Of A Madman".

Killer tracks: Confession, Shattered Image - The Silent Denial, Set Me Free, The Seven Spirits

NIGHTMARE WORLD (2000) METAL BLADE

This is Eidolon's 3rd album, and the first one I heard. The two first releases are almost impossible to get, because they were released by the band themselves. 'Nightmare World' is a fine record, but the songs are to me a bit hard to tell apart. Still this is really listenable riff-filled power metal.

Killer tracks: Nightmare World

HALLOWED APPARITION (2001) METAL BLADE

Another good effort from these Canadians. Eidolon are perfecting their dark and relentless power metal, and they've got the sound down on 'Hallowed Apparition'. At first I had a rough time really getting into this album, for whatever reasons. But bringing them back in the player after buying albums such as 'Coma Nation' and 'Apostles Of Defiance', I've grown more and more attached to this bands style. I'm not sure how to describe them, but a darker Metal Church might not be all that off? Eidolon would keep on evolving though. So what might be true with this album, might not really be the same with their others.

Killer tracks: De-evolution, Forever Be Free, Feed The Machine

COMA NATION (2002) METAL BLADE

I've liked every album I've heard from this band so far. But I have to say that I love this one!! Man, what a showcase in power metal 'Coma Nation' is! Although to call this just power metal would not be fair. This is also a thrash metal album, even with hints of speed metal here and there. Megadeth would be an obvious band to compare them with, but remember that this album was recorded before Dave decided to hire the Drover-brothers. Some songs are fast, some more mid-paced, but always heavy and powerful. This time they have even composed an almost 19 minute epic song in "Within The Gates". New vocalist Pat Mulock has the perfect voice for this kind of music. Imagine a cross between Dave Mustaine and James Rivera (Destiny's End, Helstar), and you know what I mean. Can't by the life of me remember what his predecessor sounded like though, so I think it's time to pop some of their other titles out again soon. In the mean time, I'm quite happy cranking this gem up to 11! If you haven't heard Eidolon, or 'Coma Nation' yet, then you've been missing out!

Killer tracks: Coma Nation, Life In Agony, Scarred, The Pentacle Star, From Below, Within The Gates

SACRED SHRINE (2003) PERRIS RECORDS

'Sacred Shrine' is a compilation album, showcasing the bands early stages. All of the songs were recorded during a period of time back in 1995, so they are all demo tracks. The only official demo Eidolon released was 'The Blue Tape' from 1994. Most of the songs on 'Sacred Shrine' did not appear on said demo, and are thus previously unreleased.

I really love compilation albums like this one. It gives you a chance to hear what the bands sounded like before they secured a record deal. On 'Sacred Shrine' you hear Eidolon at a time when they didn't even have a lead singer yet. Instead brothers Shawn and Glenn shares vocals duties, singing leads on alternate songs. Besides, almost half the tracks here are instrumentals only. Another cool thing with this CD is that not many of these demo songs ever wound up on the bands albums. Only "Hallowed Apparition" (from the album with the same name), "Tribal Fury" (from 'Seven Spirits') and "Nemesis" (opening 'Coma Nation') are titles I recognize from their catalogue.

My personal favorite here is "Black Heart", a very fast speed metal number that would have fit nicely on 'Coma Nation', f.ex. Another choice cut is "Forbidden Lair", a more progressive metal song. And speaking of prog/metal, they also do a cover of  Fates Warning's "Silent Cries". Eidolon was always a band that  had sort of a hard time deciding if they should play power metal, speed metal, prog-metal or thrash. So you hear a mix of styles already during their demo stages.

'Sacred Shrine' is a cool compilation that any fan of Eidolon should check out. I was lucky and bought it during a $5 blow out at CDBaby.com.

APOSTLES OF DEFIANCE (2003) METAL BLADE (Special Edition w/bonus CD)

CD1: 'Apostles of Defiance' (2003) Scream From Within Volcanic Earth Twisted Morality Demoralized The Test The Will To Remain Apostles Of Defiance Pull The Trigger Apathy For A Dying World Coma Nation (bonus video)	Line-up: Pat Mulock: Lead Vocals Shawn Drover: Drums, Vocals Glen Drover: All Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals Adrian Robichaud: Bass
CD2: 'Zero Hour' (1996) When Will It End Zero Hour Pain The Golden Censer - instrumental Hole In The Sky Stranded In Memory Blood Rain Eye Of The Storm - instrumental Fortress - instrumental	Line-up: Brian Soulard: Lead Vocals Shawn Drover: Drums, Vocals Glen Drover: Guitars, Vocals Criss Bailey: Bass Slav Simanic - Guitars

'Apostles Of Defiance' pretty much picks up where 'Coma Nation' left off. This is a natural follow up, and there is never any doubt as to which band we are dealing with here. Eidolon is firmly rooted somewhere in between American power metal and thrash. And who can resist the clever riffs that Glen is pulling out of the hat? This might also just as well be the most diverse album the Canadians have released so far. A word like "epic" comes to mind, but not in a fantasy or medieval way. It's more that different things are happening within the songs, but without it becoming progressive or technical. And with yet another song clocking in at over 10 minutes, I'd say that the mentioned word is appropriate. What more can be said? Do you like metal, then I'm sure you'll like Eidolon! This special edition comes with the bands debut album, entitled 'Zero hour', as a bonus CD. The band didn't sound all that different back then, other than that they were a more power metal oriented band, without the obvious thrash references. Also noticeable is that the line-up then consisted of a shredder named Slav Simanic on guitar (later to release solo albums which were highly praised in the Christian metal circuit). Oh, and "Hole In The Sky" is of course a Black Sabbath cover.

Killer tracks on 'Apostles Of Defiance': Scream From Within, Twisted Morality, The Test, Apostles Of Defiance, Pull The Trigger

Killer tracks on 'Zero Hour': Zero Hour, Stranded, In Memory

Eidolon anno 2006

THE PARALLEL OTHERWORLD (2006) ESCAPI

When I learned that Nils K.Rue, of Pagan's Mind fame, was the new vocalist for Eidolon, I wasn't sure what to think. Could this prog metal prototype really be a good fit for Canada's finest power/thrash metal act? After hearing the album I'm still not sure what to think. This is without a doubt the bands most complex and varied material. So in that manner one could say that the prog-side of their singer have noticeable rubbed of on the band. But at the same time I would have to say that Eidolon have in no way, form or shaped really changed all that much. Other than the 11 minute opening epic, this is still an album filled with those riff-filled lethal metal tracks. I'm absolutely positive that the Drover brothers once more have outdone themselves musically. So at the end of the day you're stuck with a choice whether or not you feel that Nils is the right man for this band. The verdict is still out on that one on my part. "The Oath" is of course a Mercyful Fate cover. Fitting for a band that includes an ex-members from King's own band, plus the best King Diamond imitator in the world on vocals.

Pagan's Mind - 'Infinity Divine' 2004

7th Reign - '7th Reign'

Chris Caffery - 'House Of Insanity'

Megadeth, King Diamond, Pagan's Mind, 7th Reign