Blind Illusion is an American progressive thrash metal band from Richmond, California. Formed in 1978 by lead guitarist and main songwriter Mark Biedermann, the band has had several lineup changes, with Biedermann being the only constant member. Blind Illusion is also notable for featuring Les Claypool and Larry LaLonde, both later of Primus, who performed bass and guitar respectively on their 1988 debut album The Sane Asylum. After a 20-year hiatus, Biedermann reformed Blind Illusion in 2009, and they have since released two more albums: Demon Master (2010) and Wrath of the Gods (2022). They also released an EP in February 2019, titled 2018, which also includes remakes of some of their older songs. History Blind Illusion was formed in 1978 by De Anza High School students Mark Biedermann, on guitar and vocals, Les Claypool, on bass, and Bret Hern, on drums. By that time, Biedermann had been writing his own music from a young age, and original songs were a priority for the new band from the start. The band's earliest sound had been musically rooted in progressive rock, with Biedermann citing as his main inspirations Rush, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Scorpions, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Frank Marino, Black Sabbath, and Blue Öyster Cult. They soon added vocalist David White. Claypool left the band in 1979 and was replaced by bassist Chris Olsen. This line-up would play outdoor parties and self promoted multi-band concerts around the area since all of the members were too young to play in clubs. They also recorded several demo songs during this period. Brian Kehoe joined as a second guitarist and Les Claypool returned as well to record another demo tape of the songs "On Death's Bed" and "Kamikaze" in 1980. By 1983, Blind Illusion were making inroads into the same venues that featured many bands in the developing Bay Area thrash scene. By this time, Biedermann and White were joined by Craig Maracich on bass, Evan McCaskey on guitar, Vic Griffith on drums and Ben Heveroh on keyboards. This version recorded another demo tape and was fairly stable for a time, but the band was beset by line-up changes going forward. The 1985 version of the band (Biedermann, White, Gene Gilson on bass, Mike Miner on drums) recorded the "Trilogy of Terror" demo which was produced by Biedermann's old classmate, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett. Soon after, David White would leave to join Heathen and Biedermann