Blind Illusion
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Mark Biedermann |
| Headquarters | Richmond, California , United States |
| Products | Progressive thrash metal music |
Blind Illusion is a progressive thrash metal group originating from Richmond, California, established in 1978 by lead guitarist and principal songwriter Mark Biedermann, who remains the only continuous member amid numerous personnel shifts. The band is distinguished for including Les Claypool and Larry LaLonde, who subsequently became members of Primus, contributing bass and guitar respectively on their 1988 debut record The Sane Asylum.
Following a two-decade break, Biedermann revived Blind Illusion in 2009, resulting in the release of two albums: Demon Master (2010) and Wrath of the Gods (2022). Additionally, in February 2019, they issued the EP 2018, featuring reimagined versions of earlier compositions.
History
The inception of Blind Illusion dates back to 1978 when De Anza High School students Mark Biedermann (handling guitar and vocals), Les Claypool (bass), and Bret Hern (drums) formed the band. From the outset, Biedermann emphasized original material inspired by progressive rock legends such as Rush, King Crimson, and Black Sabbath. Vocalist David White joined shortly thereafter. Claypool exited in 1979, with Chris Olsen stepping in on bass as the band organized self-funded outdoor performances and recorded demos. Claypool briefly returned in 1980 to contribute to additional demo recordings.
By 1983, Blind Illusion was active within venues linked to the burgeoning Bay Area thrash metal movement. The lineup at this stage included Biedermann, White, bassist Craig Maracich, guitarist Evan McCaskey, drummer Vic Griffith, and keyboardist Ben Heveroh. Despite some lineup consistency, changes continued to occur.
In 1985, the ensemble—comprising Biedermann, White, Gene Gilson on bass, and Mike Miner on drums—produced the "Trilogy of Terror" demo under the production of Metallica’s guitarist Kirk Hammett. After White departed to join Heathen, Biedermann assumed vocal duties. In 1986, Hammett facilitated a connection with Music for Nations in England that led to a recording deal. By 1987, Gilson had left; Claypool rejoined during a Primus hiatus. John Marshall replaced a departing guitarist but soon left to join Metal Church; Larry LaLonde from Possessed took his place.
Recording sessions commenced at Hyde Street Studios with Hammett as producer. Simultaneously, Blue Öyster Cult was recording nearby; their manager Sandy Pearlman invited Biedermann to guest on several tracks for their Imaginos album alongside Joe Satriani and Robbie Krieger. In return for his participation, Biedermann exchanged studio time to mix Blind Illusion's debut album The Sane Asylum, which was released in 1988 through Combat Records in the US and Under One Flag in Europe. Although Hammett produced the album, he remained uncredited due to management fees. The band toured across the United States with Hallows Eve and At War; Claypool left mid-tour and was replaced by Adam Gates. Subsequently, LaLonde departed to join Primus.
After signing with CBS Records, Biedermann enlisted Vern Mc Elroy (bass), Wes Anderson (drums), and Mark Strausburgh (guitar) to work on a second album titled The Medicine Show. However, following Sony's acquisition of CBS which resulted in contract termination, the project was abandoned and the band dissolved.
Biedermann briefly contributed bass for Heathen's 1991 album Victims of Deception. He then stepped away from music to teach Shaolin Kung-Fu at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas monastery. Inspired by a Buddhist sutra in 1999, he founded The Ghost Kings Southern Rock project with Eric Lagosh, composing over thirty-five songs together.
After almost twenty years away from the scene, Biedermann reassembled Blind Illusion in 2009 with guitarist Danny Harcourt and drummer Robert Nystrom. They released their second full-length album Demon Master in 2010, marking a stylistic evolution toward progressive and stoner rock influences. The band supported this release by performing at local street fairs such as the Sobrante Stroll.
In 2013, bassist Harald Oimoen motivated a return to Blind Illusion’s foundational sound. Collaborating with Oimoen and drummer Erik "Cire" Cruze, Biedermann later partnered with guitarist Doug Piercy and bassist Tom Gears to produce the four-track EP "2018". The group subsequently performed several concerts across Europe.
Recording for their third album Wrath Of The Gods began in August 2020 with former Death Angel drummer Andy Galeon joining the lineup. Released on October 7, 2022, this album was followed by a European tour in September 2023.
On June 16, 2024, Blind Illusion announced an updated lineup featuring Mark Biedermann (lead guitar/vocals), Phil Cosentini (drums), Avery Thurman (bass), and Martin Lacour (lead guitar).
On April 25, 2025, they reunited with original vocalist David White for a landmark performance supporting Death Angel and Exodus at Berkeley’s UC Theater, delivering songs not performed live for over four decades.
Currently, Blind Illusion is working on their fourth studio album titled Crushing the Universe, which is slated for release later in 2025.
Present lineup
- Mark Biedermann – lead and rhythm guitar, lead vocals (1978–present)
- Martin Lacour – guitar (2024–present)
- Avery Thurman – bass guitar (2024–present)
- Phil Cosentini – drums (2024–present)
Additional former members (partial list)
Vocals
- Keith Stewart (1978)
- David White (1979–1985, 2025–present)
- Dave (1992)
Guitars (partial list)
- Bryan Kehoe (1981–1983)
- Evan McCaskey (1983)
- Hans Larson (1983)
- Pat Woods (1985–1986)
- Mark Searle (1985)
- John Marshall (1987)
- Larry LaLonde (1987–1989)
- Mark Strausberg (1989–1990)
- Eric Lagosh (1989)
- Steve Marcus (1992–1995)
- Eric Meyer (2007)
- Aaron Knudson (2015)
- Doug Piercy (2017–2024)
Bass guitar (partial list)
- Alvin Petty (1976–1977)
- Les Claypool (1978–1979, 1980–1981, 1986–1989)
- Chris Olsen (1979, 1980)
- Geno Gilson (1983–1986)
- Adam Gates (1988)
- Vern McElroy (1989–1990)
- Evan Barnes (1992–1995)
- Danny (2008–2014)
- Harald Oimoen (2013–2017)
- Tom Gears (2017–2024)
Drums (partial list)
- Bret Hern (1979–1983, deceased)
- Bill Ticson (1983)
- Mike Miner (1983–1988)
- Wes Anderson (1988–1989)
- Albert Simmons (1992–1995)
- Steve Johnson (2008–2010)
- Robert Nystrom (2010–2014)
- Bret Hern (2014)
- Erik "Cire" Cruze (2014–2019)
- Brian Schwartz – drums (September 2019–2020)
- Liz Say – drums for select live performances
- Andy Galeon (2020–2024)
Keyboards
- Ben Heveroh (1982–1983)
Studio albums
- The Sane Asylum (1988)
- Reissued several times: 2007 ('Metal Mind'), 2015 ('World in Sound' remastered CD and limited gold vinyl), 2021, and 2022 ('Hammerheart Records' edition with bonus live CD)
- Demon Master (2010)
- 2018 EP featuring four tracks including "Race with the Wizard" and "Vengeance Is Mine"
- Ultimate Anthology 1 (2021), part of 'Cult Metal Classics' series, containing the complete 1979 Likewise Sessions and Demo recordings
- Ultimate Anthology 2 (2022), also under 'Cult Metal Classics', compiling full demos from 1980 to 1986 with seventeen songs
- Wrath of the Gods (2022), released by 'Hammerheart Records'
Demos and studio recordings
- A collection of demos spanning from 1979 through 2015, comprising rare and limited-release material such as:
- The 1979 Studio Demo and Likewise Sessions presenting early compositions like "The Watcher" and "Death Noise"
- Various demos from the early to mid-1980s illustrating the band's evolving sound and production overseen by Mark Biedermann
- Previously unreleased tracks including "Medicine Show" and "Espionage in Hell," which were made available on YouTube by the lineup active in 2014
- Studio recordings from the 1990s under the "L" Band name featuring alternative vocal versions
Notes: ≈ Denotes recordings with limited distribution % Indicates production by Mark Biedermann; some tracks are unlisted $ Signifies compilations of unreleased material Several demo tracks have been partially shared online for fan access.