Edenbridge
Arcana

THE REVIEW

Do you love listening to very (very) melodic power metal? Do you miss Nightwish from Wishmaster?

In both cases, listen to Arcana, the second work of the Austrians Edenbridge, although Nightwish move on heavier trajectories and (above all) the music of Edenbridge is much more optimistic and positive compared to the Finnish group (no Dead Boy’s Poem, in short). Moreover, the talented Sabine sings in a much less classical manner compared to Tarja.

The CD opens with “Ascending,” a symphonic introduction, while “Starlight Reverie” is a power track but also very melodic. “The palace” moves along the same power lines as the first, with keyboards much more present, however. The sweet ballad “A moment of time” gently moves you, with truly inspired guitars, while the following “Fly on a Rainbow Dream,” the best piece of the bunch, convinces with an excellent chorus and a good solo. “Color my sky” is the most Nightwish-like piece, especially thanks to the symphonic parts and the dynamic rhythmic section. In “Into the light” the course changes: an extremely delicate, almost intangible ballad, drawing influences from folk. Fast and enjoyable power in the subsequent track “Suspiria,” while in the slow “Winter Winds” there is a skillful use of keyboards. The CD closes with “Arcana,” a long, well-crafted symphonic piece that never becomes boring.

Edenbridge has not invented anything new, but (a rare gift nowadays) they never become boring.