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Edguy: Rocket Ride

EdGuy is at it once again. Following their teaser EP release of Superheroes, they have delivered Rocket Ride to the public. Fans that have purchased the EP need not worry about having too much duplication across the piece; in typical EdGuy fashion, the EP only features one new track. The remainder of it was composed of unreleased live or studio tracks. "Superheroes" is the only song from the EP on Rocket Ride and it is definitely a catchy number. As I listened to the album I found that they bring you in slowly to the release instead of in the pounding manner that Hellfire Club did. "Sacrifice" is a tricky song which starts slow, then rocks, only to slow again before it kicks in. Tobias is a classic styled Rock Star and takes his creativity to heights on every song. One of the strongest natures of appeal in EdGuy is not only their catchy brand of Melodic Power Metal but also in the level of harmony chorus backups present in most of their songs. Because of this, the songs seem crafted in such a manner that it is very easy to find yourself singing along even at first listen. I felt that with songs like "Superheroes", "Catch Of The Century" and "Wasted Time", the group is leaning a little more to the "radio-friendly" side. You can't blame them in this approach since it will hopefully bring more listeners to their shows and boost album sales. However, there is sufficient ass-kicking on songs like "Rocket Ride" and "Return To The Tribe". The latter tune has an awesome guitar effect which actually sounds like Tobias is singing the solo. It also has a slight resemblance to "Fallen Angels", from the must-have release "Mandrake". The band's very manic sense of humor and fun are showcased in songs like "Trinidad" and "Fucking With Fire". Fans of slower numbers will enjoy the softer side Tobias has during "Save Me", which serves as the Power Ballad of the recording.

Production-wise, this album is on-point and that is due to the work of Sascha Paeth (who is a force to be reckoned with in the area of Power Metal these days). I admit that I am jaded about this group as I enjoy their music very much and have seen them prove the level of talent they possess on the concert stage several times. Rocket Ride is a very good record and I can advise that all fans who might be curious to get on board will enjoy themselves. This is their second release on Nuclear Blast Records, and by now you should no longer be asking "Who is this EdGuy?". Give this a shot and be sure to support them in concert- it's a good time. Trust me.


Track Listing

  1. Sacrifice
  2. Rocket Ride
  3. Wasted Time
  4. Matrix
  5. Return To The Tribe
  6. The Asylum
  7. Save Me
  8. Catch Of The Century
  9. Out Of Vogue
  10. Superheroes
  11. Trinidad
  12. Fucking With Fire

Added: February 26th 2006
Reviewer: Ken Pierce
Score:
Related Link: Edguy Website
Hits: 3669
Language: english

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» SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews:

Edguy: Rocket Ride
Posted by Pete Pardo, SoT Staff Writer on 2006-02-26 18:44:31
My Score:

Rocket Ride, the latest release from German metallers Edguy, is sure to win the band many new fans as well as potentially alienate some long time followers. As the group slowly moves away from the raging power metal style that they perfected years ago to a more commercially viable hard rock & metal style (and this was a good move in my opinion), they have opened themselves up for exposure in more mainstream outlets, especially here in the United States. On Rocket Ride, the band continues on with this evolution, determined to reach heights that Helloween seemed on the verge of in the early 90's but never quite achieved.

The lengthy opener "Sacrifice" is actually a dense and adventurous progressive metal treat, filled with symphonic keyboards, heavy riffs, and Tobias Sammet's soaring vocals. It's pretty epic sounding, and a grand way to kick off this release. The title track is a strong 80's styled rocker, with hints of Helloween, TNT, and Dokken, featuring plenty of backing vocals and crunchy guitar work from Jens Ludwig and Dirk Sauer. "Wasted Time" is another symphonic number, more in the power metal style but less reliant on speed, and this is followed by the groove laden "Matrix", a song that also has some futuristic electronics to help cement the lyrical message home. The band again relies on keyboards for "Return of the Tribe", this one a speedy and vintage Edguy power metal romp, highlighted by fast riffs, Sammet's soaring vocals, and the pummeling double bass drum work from Felix Bohnke.

After the tender acoustic beginning to "The Asylum", the song lurches into a crushing yet melodic rocker that again oozes 80's bands like Scorpions, TNT, and Dokken, complete with thick rhythm guitars and a huge chorus. "Save Me" is a catchy pop rocker, easily the most commercial song on the album and a good choice for a single, and "Catch of the Century" is aggressive yet addicting pop metal, with a memorable chorus and plenty of hooks. After the band takes a breath from the manic and speedy "Out of the Vogue", they throw the featured track from their recent EP, the stunning "Superheroes", one of the most addicting songs the band has ever written. However, "Trinidad" doesn't work for me at all, a silly uptempo piece that shows the bands lighthearted side, but comes across as a wimpy hair metal parody. The band again tries to show their humorous side on the closer "Fucking With Fire", another 80's styled piece that despite the silly lyrics is a pretty fun tune.

Edguy have put together an album here in 2006 that would have certainly been a huge success in 1986. Time will tell if this throwback to 80's metal will garner them new fans, but I'm guessing that it will. Rocket Ride is simply very good, very catchy, commercial metal.



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