Edenbridge – “Solitaire” (CD)

“Solitaire” Track List:

1. Entree Unique
2. Solitaire
3. Higher
4. Skyline’s End
5. Bon Voyage Vagabond
6. Inward Passage
7. Come Undone
8. Out Of This World
9. Further Afield
10. Eternity
11. A Virtual Dream?
12. Brothers On Diamir
13. Exit Unique

Release Date: July 2, 2010
Label: Napalm Records

KING: Solitaire is my first introduction to Edenbridge, although this is their 7th album since their 2000 debut. What we have here is female-fronted symphonic metal, a sub-genre that seems to have fallen out favour over the past few years, possibly due to the influx of bands following the exact same template.

Edenbridge isn’t forging any new ground with this album. That’s not to say it’s bad, it’s just a victim of its own device. Choirs surrounded by orchestral flourishes followed by guitar driven choruses: it’s a formula that works, but as a fan of the musical style, I find my self wanting more. Where Solitaire excels is when Edenbridge step out of the box. Sabine Edelsbacher is a great singer and constructs some interesting melodies, especially in the song “Skyline’s End,” which sees the band take on a slight eastern feel at the same time mixing elements of western European folk. It’s this sort of musical risk-taking that I would have liked to see more of. The production is crystal clear and there are some memorable songs. Unfortunately, though, I can’t see Solitaire winning over any one who isn’t already a fan of symphonic metal.

DR GORE: Edenbridge have been around for just over a decade, but like most of the reviews I’ve been doing lately, this is the first time I have heard the Austrian band. I must say, the music is solid, the vocals blend very well with the music, and the guitars sound great, as do the drums and bass. Sabine Edelsbacher’s vocals are very powerful, and well-performed on the album. Edenbridge has a very theatrical sound, as most bands in the sub-genre do, but I really like the overall sound of this album. And this is coming from a guy who has maybe six symphonic metal CD’s in his entire collection.

I recommend you give this album a listen. If you visit the band’s official website and go to the news section, you can check out the trailer for the album and decide for yourself.

Kruger – “For Death, Glory and the End of the World” (CD)

“For Death, Glory and the End of the World” Track List:

1. The Ox
2. Return Of The Huns
3. Anthem Of Pretended Glory
4. Villains
5. Centre
6. Our Cemetery Is Full Of Strangers
7. Muscle
8. Dukes Of Nothing
9. Turpitudes

Release Date: July 13, 2010
Label: Listenable Records

KING: The heavily layered complex song structures of Kruger’s For Death, Glory and the End of the World pull in many different directions, making it hard to catch all the nuances on a single listen. This album is a slow burn, but the pay off is immense.

Classifying Kruger’s sound is a little tough. Sludge metal is probably the best fit, but that doesn’t quite do them justice. Let’s just say that they are not black metal, death metal, thrash, and they don’t sing about dragons.

The bass and drums work well together, keeping the band grounded and heavy. The guitars create a polyphony that in moments can appear dream-like, then shift into frighteningly chaotic. The vocals sometimes have a tendency to get lost in the wall of sound, but they seem to do their part in forging the dense atmosphere that is For Death, Glory and the End of the World.

This album will defiantly appeal to fans of Mastodon and Converge. It is by no means a carbon copy, but it does seem to pull from the same creative pool.  It borders on progressive, but without the pretension. I highly recommend Kruger’s For Death, Glory and the End of the World but make sure to give it time to work its magic.

DR. GORE: Hailing from Switzerland comes Kruger with their latest album For Death, Glory and the End of the World. I have to be honest with you: I was yawning by the end of the second song. Kruger brings forth a very monotonous sound, although one bright spot on this album is the production of the recording itself, which sounds excellent. Other than that, I really do not have a lot to say. All the songs sound exactly the same, with the exception of a few intros that kind of gave me some hope that the album might turn around… but it didn’t.

When Kruger wants to, they can rock. There are some parts on this album that are very heavy, and very groovy. I suppose they just chose not to “rock” all the time. If you are a fan of this new wave death/stoner rock, then you will be a fan. I, however, am not. NEXT!

King and Dr. Gore are the hosts of Vinland Radio. Be sure to tune in this month to hear tracks from both these albums!