THE EDGE

I'd love to just hear these guys let loose and play some hell bent for leather Prog-Metal. This is a concept record that clocks in around 74 minutes. As usual with concept albums I feel they put the story ahead of the music on a lot of these songs. Still this is a good album that has lots of metal passages that rock out pretty good.

"The Edge...(Introduction)" sounds like it has some orchestration in it early before we get a drum / guitar melody 2 minutes in followed by vocals.The tempo does pick up and we get some riffs. Check out the bass solo. "Fly Away" has an uptempo and bombastic intro before vocals then riffs arrive. Lots of piano follows the guitar solo 4 1/2 minutes in. "The Confession" features choirs, spoken words and samples, as we're really into the story line now. "The Edge Part 2...(The Looking Glass)" has some Power-Metal moments as the drums are pounded with some fury. The vocals get crazy too. "A Day In Verse" is a piano led ballad. It's ok. "Imaginarium" is the longest song at over 10 minutes. Nice background synths as soft vocals come in. It kicks in 1 1/2 minutes. Killer sound after 5 minutes. I'm reminded very much of TIME MACHINE at times on this track.

"The Edge Part 3...(Existence Chapter 1,000,009)" has a cool galloping rhythm. Nice heavy sound to this one at times. "The Edge Of Madness" opens with vocals and piano. It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes. Theatrical vocals in this one. A thunderous rhythm section after 5 minutes followed by a ripping guitar solo. "Rejection" opens with this phone message being played and then the beeping sounds that continue as the drums join in. Nice. Background synths, riffs and a calm all make up this tune. "Baptized By Fire" opens with piano and synths. Heavier a minute in. Contrast continues. Piano ends it. "The Edge...Legacy / Reprise" is for me the most interesting piece on the album. The different instrumental sounds that come and go early are good. It kicks in around 2 minutes as contrasts continue until it levels out after 3 minutes. Heavy with lots of synths.

I've just heard so much better from this genre. Not as good as advertised.