THE EDGE

Am new to Eternity X but when I listened to this album for the first time there was a strong need to repeat spinning the CD many times until finally this album laid down naturally into my mind. One thing for sure is that the band has an excellent lead singer Keith Sudano which justifies the purchase of this album. Not just that the vocal, this album is also excellent musically. I might say that the music is in someway influenced by Queensryche, Symphony X, etc.

The opening part of The Edge...(Introduction) (6:10)" which comprises synthesizer-drenched music resembles a symphonic prog until when the drum starts to roll followed with vocal the music is brought into heavy side. I can actually feel that the music seems like being forced at the beginning as it sounds unnatural to my ears. But when it moves to " Fly Away" (8:03) where classical music influence is much more prevalent, I can accept the music naturally ..

"The Confession" (6:19) brings the music colossally with the choir lines as well as powerful low register vocal at the beginning. The music moves into heavier part with vocal and guitar as main bearer. "The Edge Part 2" (6:23) combines the symphonic music and power metal. The opening part reminds me to the rearrangement of Deep Purple's Child In Time by Ian Gillan Band. Synthesizer fills in the music followed with fast speed music with double pedal bass drum as well as guitar.

"A Day in Verse" (7:58) starts beautifully with excellent piano solo followed with fills that reminds me to pop song by Air Supply - well, I think this is a coincidence. But the melody is similar with that Air Supply song. This song has an interlude part in the vein of neo prog music with nice guitar solo. "Imaginarium" (10:11) starts off with nice acoustic guitar fills and excellent voice. It sounds like a ballad song in the beginning but actually the song moves into power metal music with nice melody.

Under "The Edge Part 3" (5:01) there is a classical music melody of Beethoven being inserted in the music (at approx. minutes 2:44). The combination of tight bass line, drums and voice is really nice. "The Edge of Madness" (7:13) starts mellow with powerful vocal and piano fills. The music then flows into heavier part. I like the use of vocals in dialogue that resembles like a conversation in the movie.

"Rejection" (3:24) is a wonderful composition with a music that combines modern rock, power metal and industrial music. The result is a wonderful composition! I like the tight bass lines which make up this song. Great! "Baptized By Fire" (7:28) brings piano back to life with power metal music. "The Edge...Legacy/Reprise" (5:03) concludes the album with excellent acoustic guitar fills in classical mode augmented with nice keyboard and bass lines. Vocal is in low register notes.

It's an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild, GW