Questionnaire by Stefan: Images Of Eden is an American heavy/progressive metal band that, despite its strong artistic identity, has never fully received the international recognition it deserves. One undeniable fact remains: founder and vocalist Gordon Tittsworth has released five full‑length albums under the Images Of Eden banner, each of them a compelling and meaningful body of work. For anyone unfamiliar with IOE, I highly recommend reading Gordon’s story below; he is more than willing to guide us through the life and evolution of his band.
It’s always a pleasure to have someone like you jo in me for a conversation, Gordon. I know you always speak from the heart, so let’s start at the beginning. When did you launch Images Of Eden, and what ambitions drove you at the very start of this journey?
*First of all, I appreciate you having me and for also continuing to cover Images of Eden over the years.
I knew ever since I was a small kid that music was something that I wanted to do and that feeling never left me. I was a huge music fan growing up. At around age 3 or so, my uncle turned me onto Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith etc., and I immediately took to rock/ hard rock music.
I had been in and out of bands over the course of many years and have always seemed to encounter the usual band conflict. It got to a point in the late 90s after departing from my previous band that I realized it was time for me to finally put my vision out there without anything being watered down or diluted. Thankfully, I took the time to learn all of the instruments over the years (guitar, bass, drums, keys & vocals) so I could handle everything in the studio by myself. This was invaluable for me and is still one of the best things I have ever done! So, I started tracking the first IOE album in early 1999 with the goal of starting my own band with like-minded band members.
In 2001 you released your first album, which was unique in the sense that it was a true solo project, every instrument and every sound came from you. What story lies behind this debut work?
*I guess my rambling in the first question answered part of that, lol. It was finally time in my life where I needed to put my vision out there. I had just had several major life-changing events that fueled my inspiration- I kicked a brutal addiction (which turned my life around for the better) then I met my future wife. Once my head was clear, this is when I knew it was time to produce the album. Lyrically, the entire album covered everything that I just went through and how my life changed for the better.
You chose not to continue as a solo artist. By the time “Sunlight of the Spirit” (2006) was released, you were already working with three additional musicians. How did the period between the first and second album unfold?
There was actually a lot that happened between the first album and the release of “Sunlight of the Spirit”. I was able to form the live lineup for IOE and starting playing out, but the band went through multiple member changes before we started tracking “Sunlight of the Spirit”. At the time we just lost a bass player and we didn’t have a keyboard player so I took care of both of those duties for that album. We learned a lot from this album, what to do, what not to do, etc and applied what we learned on the next album, “Rebuilding The Ruins”.
This is also the first album that was released worldwide on a record label (Nightmare Records).
From the early days, did you have a specific musical direction in mind, something you wanted to develop further as time went on? How would you describe the style of Images Of Eden, and which bands or artists inspired you most?
*I love this question! I grew up with Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Fates Warning, Queensrÿche, but also early thrash and pretty much every genre of metal. But I always gravitated back to progressive metal. My goal was to use my progressive influences, but keep the songs accessible from a listeners’s point of view. Everything I write has some sort of progressive influence. It’s just how I’m wired and what’s in my blood. I can’t let it go, lol. However, with each album, I obtained better equipment and had the means to write and record more complex music. I also started diving into deeper themes that told long stories, thus the “Rebuilding The Ruins” album.
However, after “Ruins”, I had been listening to modern metal with low and chunky guitar, and it really brought a new inspiration to me. It was at this point where I think our style shifted a bit. We went from writing long, progressive metal songs to more in your face, “to the point” type songs. I’m not able to let go of the progressive vibe and feel so that’s always gonna be in the music, but the subject matter definitely got more intense for the “Soulrise” album. This is when you could hear the shift. After that, we just kept evolving and tweaking each release.
I always feel like I have to push myself further on every next release, trying to outdo the previous. I still feel this way as we are working on the seventh album. I feel like trying to top “Angel Born” is going to be a tall order, lol.
Can you still recall the very first Images Of Eden show? What went through your mind when you stepped on stage with the band for the first time? Over the years, with whom have you shared the stage, and which performance stands out as the most memorable?
*Oh yes, the first gig was a sight to behold (not!). We were playing on a Thursday night at a pool hall and we had to set up in the corner right next to one of the pool tables. We were opening for a modern rock cover band that played stuff like Limp Bizkit, Korn, Disturbed, Creed, Nickelback, etc then here we are…. original prog-metal?!?!? We recorded the show and there’s even a time where our guitarist had to step out of the way so some guy could make his shot on the pool table. At that time, I was laughing, but I was just so happy to be playing live again that it didn’t matter. It had been too long.
Over the years we started to climb up the ladder a bit and have been blessed to have shared the stage with some amazing bands. Geoff Tate from Queensrÿche, Stryper, Michael Schenker, Metal Church, Doro Pesch and Yngwie Malmsteen.
We had some really amazing experiences and really got to bond with a lot of these bands. These were some “a-ha“ moments during all of this because it really felt like things were going next level.
There are two very memorable experiences that stick out in my head. The first was the debut show we played after we reformed the band before the “Soulrise“ release. We played a show with the Iron Maidens and then had a back-to-back show at a festival the next day. It felt exceptionally good because it had been many years since I had been on stage under the name Images of Eden.
The second gig was probably one of my favorites. It was on the “Angel Born“ tour (with Malmsteen) and we were playing the Mesa Theatre in Grand Junction, Colorado. From the second we got on stage the crowd was ridiculous! After the end of the first song, they just lost their minds. It was the loudest crowd I had ever heard from stage. They were nonstop, raging from the first song to the last song. We generally get a good response live but this one was so exceptional that I wasn’t sure what was going on. Maybe something was in the water up there, lol.
Several albums followed between 2011 and 2021. Did you remain faithful to your original sound, or did the band’s style evolve in noticeable ways?
*After “Rebuilding The Ruins” there was a 7 year hiatus due to many factors- My family moved out of state as I was transitioning my job, then we had to move two more times before the release of “Soulrise“. During this time, I went through a lot of internalizing, and I also did some vocals for higher as I wrote the music for “Soulrise“.
So I guess all of those factors (and having the privilege of tracking vocals for several other bands) definitely gave me more experience and shaped me a bit better. I always learn something when I track with any band, and I walk away a little bit better of a person and musician because of it. So by the time it came to recording “Soulrise“, I was a bit of a new person and like I had said in a previous question here, the style just sort of shifted. I kept the progressive overtone and vibe, but the music was more punchy and in your face. I went from 8-9 minute songs down to 4 minute songs, give or take. It was a big change, but we still love to do an epic song at the end of an album whenever we can.
I also feel like with “Soulrise“, “Angel, Born“, and “Weathered and Torn“, we turned up the “heavy“ dial a bit and really focused on writing songs that stuck in your head after they were over. For the 7th release, we are sort of calling all cars because and utilizing every single thing we’ve learned over the years, putting everyting into this one basket.
I’m curious about the current band line‑up. Could you introduce the members and share a few words about their musical backgrounds?
*Absolutely. The first person I have to acknowledge is Dean Harris on keyboards and piano. He is the longest running member and has been with us since “Rebuilding The Ruins”. However, we just moved to a four piece and have eliminated keys because our sound has evolved more toward a straightforward metal sound and unfortunately, we didn’t have much for him to do anymore. Letting Dean go was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. I will say this though… any band in the world would be blessed beyond belief to have Dean Harris with them. I could never think of a more dedicated and super cool guy to work with. A total pro!
That being said Steve Dorssom is on drums and has been since ”Soulrise”. I met him in 2013 when I did a vocal for a higher project with his previous band, Born of Fire. We worked so well together that I asked if he would be willing to join IOE. Once he heard the ”Soulrise” demo, he and I both decided we were going to do IOE full-time. Steve and I work extremely well together so it was a no-brainer. Steve also manages IOE and coordinates everything.
Eric Mulvaine on bass guitar. He played with Steve in a high school band called Ripsaw. After we were in need of a bass player, Steve recommended him and it has been a dream ever since.
Our newest member is Jeffrey Wilson on lead guitar. I connected with Jeff in 2019 when he played in a local band near me. As soon as I heard him live, I knew he was gonna be in the band. I just didn’t know when. I felt it. He is one of the most amazing players and human beings that we could’ve ever asked for.
What is the latest release from Images Of Eden and can you say that this one is your best so far?
*Our most recent is a five song EP called ”Weathered and Torn”. This is a bit on the heavier side and for a few reasons. It was our response to what we (and the world) had been put through with regards to the Covid “plandemic”. We saw through the government/ media lies and deception pretty clearly right away. It really affected us collectively and individually. I have pretty extreme views about the whole fiasco which I won’t get into, but as you can hear, we had a little bit of rage we had to unleash.
That being said, I don’t think this is the best release. My personal favorite (so far) is ”Angel Born”, and for many reasons. I think it’s just our best writing, it’s the most versatile and it’s also the most personal and emotional album of all from me. I was going through a massive loss and that writing album was a literal healing experience for me. I was extremely happy on how it turned out and I loved the videos we did for that album.
Although ask me the same question about a year from now after this next album comes out and I’ll see if I can still answer it the same. Lol.
At a certain point you became seriously ill and had to put everything on hold. I’m not sure whether you feel comfortable discussing this, but if you are: What exactly happened during that difficult period?
*Yes, totally comfortable! Thank you for asking.
For about 6 or 7 years, I’ve been keeping an eye on my aortic valve in my heart because I was diagnosed with a condition called aortic stenosis, meaning that my aortic valve was going to fail early in life. This was not due to anything I did to myself, but just genetics. I had to keep a close eye on it over the years, and I had certain parameters from my doctor that I had to follow whenever I exerted myself. I had to keep a close eye on how hard I pushed because if I blew out my valve, I would’ve dropped dead on the spot. There was one time when I know I pushed myself beyond what I should have so I backed off and never got close to that again. It was kinda scary.
That being said, I had my aortic valve replaced in December of 2025. The surgery was a major success and I have been closely monitored by doctors ever since. They said it takes the heart 90 days to fully heal so it looks like I am finally there now.
As we speak, how’s your medical situation, Gordon?
*I can honestly say this is the best I’ve felt in years. The whole time my valve was failing, it felt like something was off, but now I feel stronger and more “durable” than before. I am finally ready to head back out into the world and throw down hard!
The surgery and rehabilitation must have affected your voice. How did you work your way back to full vocal strength?
*The very first thing I did was call my vocal coach (Jaime Vendera) and ask him what to do. He gave a very specific regimen to follow so I could recover as quickly as possible, and it worked like a charm. I will say this was a bit frustrating at first because the last time I lost my voice was from laryngitis in 2011 and it took me 2 1/2 years to get it back. But yes, all good now… and thanks for asking!
I assume the band is rehearsing again. Hopefully new material is being written and a new album may be on the horizon. What can you share about the current creative phase of Images Of Eden?
*Oh absolutely!!! We are well into recording the album. We’re looking at about 11 or 12 songs when finished.
I have to say that we are putting more into this album than we have put into any release since the band started. We’re taking everything we learned over the years- what worked, what didn’t work, what we could do better, etc, then incorporated it all into the writing and production of this next album. We’re basically putting all of our eggs in this basket.
I say this because we’re sitting in a good spot right now. The last thing we did was a cover of “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles and it hit # 46 on the US Billboard charts as well as the top 10 in the world on Digital Radio Tracker. Our label’s radio team was very pleased on how everything played out so we’re going to work together to try to really push an original song up the chain this time if we can. I have no idea what will happen but we’re gonna give it everything we have.
Also, all of our lyrics and music are inspired by what we’ve lived during the time of writing and recording. You can almost paint a picture (or “snapshot in time”) just by listening to a particular album. That said, this one is a lot more intense! During the writing and recording of this album, I lost both of my parents, a close childhood friend and a close uncle. Basically, my whole world has changed. On top of that, the other guys have gone through some losses as well. But as always, music keeps me going and fills my tank with hope and strength.
I also had had to put four songs on a shelf during the writing of this album. As everything progressed, I realized they just weren’t quite up to par with the rest of the songs and I want this to be the best release possible. I imagine these songs will surface at some point (or used for “spare riff parts” for future songs).
Our goal is to have it out at the beginning of 2027. Hopefully we can meet that. This one’s just taking a lot out of us but it’ll be worth it in the end.
It’s also interesting how we write because I write the core songs on guitar, scratch drums and vocals then send it to the guys to listen to, and then we tweak and rearrange as needed before recording all of our parts separately at our home towns. We all live in different states so we rely heavily on the internet. This is also how we rehearse for shows. Everybody plays on their own and gets as tight as possible, then we fly out to Phoenix, Arizona and rehearse for a couple of days then hit the road. It’s really unconventional, but it has worked for us since 2017.
Are there any other developments within Images Of Eden that you’d like to share with the world?
*We are just anxious to get this next album out to the world and tour again! Hopefully we will get to Europe and be able to meet up in person after all these years.
Do you have any live performances scheduled in the coming months?
*Nothing at this time. We had an offer, but we had to turn it down because it’s not going to do us any good touring without the next album being out. We want to put all of our effort into doing the next album before we hit the road again, then we will call all cars at that time to tour as much as possible.
A final question: Which bands stood out to you personally over the past year, and what makes them special in your eyes?
*Very cool question. I haven’t done much listening to new music lately just because I don’t have the time. I love checking out new bands and hearing new things when I can but it’s been a bit difficult lately. That being said, I love “Dissonance Theory” by Coroner. Amazing album! Those guys haven’t lost anything over the years. I was a big fan of RIP and Punishment for Decadence, but this album blew me away.
That was probably my personal gem for 2025.
I want to wish you a full and lasting recovery from your medical setback, Gordon. The final word is yours… All the best, brother.
*Thanks again and all the best to you! I always love connecting with you and appreciate all of your support over the years! Cheers, brother!