SPV
There are a lot of female fronted symphonic and progressive metal bands out there now, possibly too many and it takes something a bit special to make the listener sit up and take notice. Luckily Edenbridge are one such band and they first came to my attention from an online recommendation from Steve Williams of Power Quest.
The key factor to any good symphonic metal band for me is the vocalist, as the pomp and strings are rarely second rate on albums, and Edenbridge have a real asset in the soaring vocals of Sabine Edelsbacher. ‘Mystic River’ highlights this amply and the choral arrangement and symphonic arrangements are stunning. Looking closer at the credits a certain Robby Valentine is credited on backing vocals and choirs, that’d explain the Queen-like harmony vocals on ‘Star-Crossed Dreamer’ then!
Lanvall is the other key driving force in the band aside from Sabine and his musical ideas are simply stunning at times, be it the ebb and flow of the musical mood on ‘Into A Sea Of Souls’ or ‘Far Out Of Reach’ that could teach Nightwish a trick or two. It is a like the key song in a film soundtrack, glorious stuff.
‘Shadows Of My Memory’ is my personal stand out, with its orchestral pomp, massive metal guitar riffs and some growling vocals (I must admit when used well and sparingly a few cookie monster vocals can work wonders in a song). Uplifting melody and chorus, mass of keys, timely guitar solo…it’s all as it should be in this song.
The epic fifteen minute ‘The Bonding’ has it all plus W.E.T.’s Erik Martensson duets on this one. The fifteen minutes flies by and there are so many musical time changes from gentle acoustic passages switching to heavy guitar and soaring strings. Using a full orchestra adds to the album’s sound greatly as the studio produced string/orchestral effects never sound as musically rich or powerful.
Edenbridge have been on the edge of greatness previously and this is their best album to date without a doubt.
****1/2
Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)
Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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