"We have focused on what makes this band unique and recorded what we believe is going to be the strongest & heaviest album this band has ever recorded. There is no doubt, that this album is going to be the album we'll be measured against in the future."
Well I can't say that I concur with all of those claims on the band's website, and though the latest release Space Police - Defenders Of The Crown by German group Edguy might not be their heaviest or greatest album it does present some of the band's most appealing work in recent times. I've also been a fan of lead singer Tobias Sammet's Avantasia since it's beginnings and continued to be more attracted to that project than Edguy's later releases. This new album is different and has something for fans of both Avantasia and Edguy.
So while you can't please everyone this release does stand a better chance than their later albums. As just like Sonata Arctica gave us with this years Pariah's Child and while Edguy's bombastic side of the past has mostly been ditched they are also doing a balancing act of both their power metal and later styles on Space Police - Defenders Of The Crown and that humorous fun side of the band remains.
Edguy sound so energized on this album and that harder edge has returned much to my delight. Like Hellfire Club had a fantastic heavy lively opener with "Mysteria" Edguy do it again on Space Police Defenders Of The Crown and the irresistible "Sabre & Torch" which should sound fantastic when performed live. Edguy go mid paced with the infectious "Space Police" and they kick it up a gear again on "Defenders Of the Crown". It's then time to rock with "Love Tyger" and the guitars come to life for the ballsy "The Realms Of Baba Yaga". The choice to cover Falco's 80's track "Rock Me Amadeus" was a surprise as it's that kind of track that can be both tedious due to it's repetitiveness and oddly addictive. But is hardly one of the album's strong points and maybe the Def Leppardish "Aychim In Hysteria" off the bonus CD would have even been a better alternative.
With quite the interesting title the upbeat "Do Me Like A Caveman" is quite a catchy Edguy rocker. "Shadow Eaters" is another spirited number and "Alone In Myself" has an almost Avantasia feel as you can easily picture all those guest performers singing along on the chorus. Edguy are no stranger to great epics with the likes of "The Pharaoh" and "The Piper Never Dies" now Space Police Defenders Of The Crown's closing tune "The Eternal Wayfarer" is another and sure it has a familiar vibe but it's so addictive. And so Space Police - Defenders Of The Crown starts and concludes with two of the standout tracks.
Edguy's Space Police - Defenders Of The Crown is much better than I had expected and is easily their strongest recording in years, so get rocking with Edguy.
Track Listing
1. Sabre & Torch
2. Space Police
3. Defenders Of The Crown
4. Love Tyger
5. The Realms Of Baba Yaga
6. Rock Me Amadeus
7. Do Me Like A Caveman
8. Shadow Eaters
9. Alone In Myself
10. The Eternal Wayfarer
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