Edge of Forever Another Paradise
by Keith Schwier
Staff Writer
Another Paradise , the new album from Italian rockers Edge Of Forever, is a colorful display of wildly chaotic instrumental fireworks, balanced against an abundance of nicely written choruses and truly impassioned vocals. Hard rock can certainly come across as sounding “grand” in certain circumstances, emphasis being placed on ambitious song structures and bombastic embellishments. Certainly this album is no exception, but what you get here is an almost regal brand of melodic metal that delights in its various eccentricities, but at the same time doesn’t stray into progressive rock overkill. Yes, there are multi-layered vocals and sweeping keyboard solos, but the rhythm foundations adhere to standard 4/4 time. In other words, this is lavish music that you can still tap your foot to.
This is the third release for Alessandro Del Vecchio and company, and there have been some internal shifts within the band. First off, Del Vecchio pulls triple duty, providing keyboards, lead vocals, and manning the producer’s chair all while mixing, editing, and recording the album on the side. Surely he didn’t find much sleep during the course of this project. His singing ability is admirable and he doesn’t do a bad job, providing range when necessary and never trying to go beyond what he’s capable of. There’s a palpable sense of James Christian Sahara-era House of Lords in his vocal delivery, but strangely enough, a little hint of Jon Bon Jovi too. For proof, listen to the opening lines of “Distant Voices” and you’ll swear you’re hearing New Jersey ‘s second favorite son coming out of the speakers.
There are also guest vocal appearances from Carsten Schulz (Evidence One), Roberto Tiranti (Labyrinth), and last but not least, former band vocalist Bob Harris, all of whom contribute mightily to the overall textures of Another Paradise. Walter Caliaro steps into the role as principal axe slinger while Nik Mazzucconi handles bass duties, creating a wicked rhythm section with crazed drummer Francesco Jovino (of U.D.O. fame), who seems inspired with every fill he unloads on the drumset.
The 10 tracks comprising this record never stray into the realms of dizzying speed metal or the lumbering paces of syrupy balladry, instead the band consistently dishes out a helping platter of mid-tempo chugging anthems that makes the speakers throb with a marching intensity. Things speed up a little more than normal for the closing track “Against the Wall,” full of eerie Dokken-esque passages and shimmering guitar work that sets it apart as one of the album’s highlights. “What I’ve Never Seen,” with its abundance of gorgeous piano flourishes, airy synth pads, and rich simmering vocals set against a soothing tribal drum cadence, is the big ballad on the disc and a welcome breather to the harder-edged material.
Possibly alienating some of the more metal purists, standout track “I Won’t Call You” boasts the most contagious hook on the entire record and is the closest thing Edge Of Forever gets to a power-pop anthem (akin to Dream Theater’s “I Walk Beside You), but musical adventure seekers please not fear, it boasts a running time of nearly six minutes and features plenty of solo interplay between the guitars and keyboards. Suffice to say, it’s not your standard three minute walk-in-the-park made for radio.
The album does have a strangely curious moment, as the band has decided to take a stab at covering “What A Feeling” from the film “Flashdance” and reimagining it as more of an intense power-chord arena ready rocker, letting it bubble over with stacked vocals, prominent guitar lines, and even a brief synthesizer solo. Sure to raise some eyebrows, the track stands as a testament to having some extreme guts in wanting to shock and delight one’s fan base, or maybe underneath it all these guys just possess a warped sense of humor and we’re not in on the inside joke.
Overall, Another Paradise is an exciting release from an immensely talented European rock band. The arrangements are tight, the production is pristine, and the song quality is consistently high. The music stays adventurous but never drifts into the area of self-indulgent instrument wanking. Recommended for anyone who’s a fan of majestic hard rock that’s tinged with a shade or two of progressive rock elements.
Label: 7Hard
Tracks:
1) Distant Voices
2) Another Paradise
3) Lonely
4) Edge of Life
5) I Won’t Call You
6) My Revenge
7) What I’ve Never Seen
8) What A Feeling
9) Eye of the Storm
10) Against the Wall
Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10