PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Conceived and orchestrated by Australian shredding maestro Stu Marshall (ex-Dungeon), Empires of Eden once again brings together some of the most influential voices in metal. With each track, the vocalists have had complete freedom to write the lyrics and melodies, bringing a tour de force of power metal to your ears!
WOW! This is huge, I mean massive, I mean monstrous, I mean gargantuan… This is everything that is epic, grandiose, expansive and complex that power metal can be and beyond.
It’s always special when you manage to bring collaborations together in such a successful manner. Stu Marshall has once again done this with apparent ease with Empires of Eden’s follow-up to the previously well received “Reborn in Fire”.
There’s a little something for everyone who has a love of this genre, from the thumping introduction to the album with “Cry Out” into the unmistakable sound of Udo Dirkschneider’s vocals in “Hammer Down” through to Ronny Munroe ending the album with the graceful “White Wings”. We get stomping riffs, we get soaring and rip-roaring guitar solos, twin guitar harmonies, wonderful incidental and melodic keyboard work. There’s speed, there’s power, there’s stunning technical ability at work here across all tracks and the very fact that each song suits the vocals down to a tee (thanks in no small part to the fact each vocalist had sole input on their parts) just helps lift each song into greatness.
I want to say I have a favourite track or tracks but to be honest I’m struggling because of the quality of each of them, if I’m pushed though, Udo’s “Hammer Down” track probably just shades it as a favourite. There really is something for everyone though. I do however, have to give special mention to the lead track itself which has stunning vocal work from Sean Peck and also “Cyborg” where Carlos Zema absolutely shines.
The couple of bonus tracks offer great versions of “Hammer Down” giving a superb ensemble vocal approach and “Born a King” which once again just gives a superb platform to Sean Peck’s voice too. It’s a win win to my ears!
For any power metal fans this album is a must. You’ll listen in delight at the individual ability and vocal prowess on show altogether in one place but more importantly you’ll enjoy it immensely
The album is due to be released in Europe and the US on 1st June with a Japanese release following on 6th June. Also available as a limited-edition Digipak that includes bonus tracks for each territory.
Rating: 9/10
Track Listing:
1. Cry Out (feat. Rob Rock)
2. Hammer down (feat. UDO)
3. This Time (feat. Steve Grimmett)
4. Channelling the Infinite (feat. Sean Peck)
5. Lions For Lambs (feat. Alessandro Del Vecchio)
6. Cyborg (feat. Carlos Zema)
7. World on Fire (feat. Louie Gorgievksi)
8. Your eyes (feat. Mike Dimeo)
9. Born a king (feat. Danny Cecati)
10. As flames scorch the ground (feat. Vo Simpson)
11. White wings (feat. Ronny Munroe)
12. Hammer down All star version * (feat. UDO, Rob Rock, Sean Peck,Carlos Zema, Vo Simpson, Ronny Munroe)
13. Born a King * (feat. Sean Peck) * Bonus Track
Empires of Eden Are:
All music composed by Stu Marshall
Guitars, bass and orchestral arrangements Stu Marshall unless stated
Drums – Jasix
Guest Solo – Shane French
Guest Solo – Yoshiyasu Maruyama
Vocals:
Udo Dirkschneider (Accept, U.D.O.)
Rob Rock (Impellitteri, Driver)
Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper, Lionsheart)
Mike Dimeo (Masterplan / Riot)
Sean Peck (Cage)
Carlos Zema (Outworld, Vougan)
Ronny Munroe (TSO, Metal Church)
Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge of Forever)
Danny Cecati (Eyefear, Pegazus)
Louie Gorgievski (Crimsonfire)
Vo Simpson.(Darker Half)
www.empiresofeden.com
www.facebook.com/empiresofeden
