Edenbridge Solitaire
by Franco Cerchiari
Staff Writer
One of the best female fronted goth/symphonic bands cut loose with their follow up to 2008’s My Earth Dream, that featured the amazing track, “Whale Rider,” (a larger than life ballad with keyboards to die for.) Solitaire is Edenbridge’s seventh studio release, and the first since the departure of bassist Frank Bindig (of note is the absence of a bass guitarist name on this release.) The tracks are heavily atmospheric with heavy uses of the keyboards, massive amounts of guitars and the operatic, (and) stunning voice of vocalist Sabine Edelsbacher. But, what they do, they do extremely well. The music is tight, the melodies laden with hooks galore, with voices fitting nicely with the landscape of each track because, in large part to the control that Sabine does have. Underneath the vocals is a strong accompaniment of solid musicianship played to the hilt by each band member. Strong resemblance can be made to Delain, Within Temptation and Nightwish as the same style of the symphonic can be heard.
An internet search for information on Edenbridge, describes them as “metal.” It must be clarified that the term “metal” might be a stretch that while it did have moments of larger than life, soaring to the heavens moments, and even some true hard rock, the term “metal” doesn’t quite fit.
Early releases by Edenbridge, such as can be heard with 2000’s Sunrise in Eden did have a “metal” edge, (a listen to the tracks “Cheyenne Spirit,“ “Holy Fire,“ and “Midnight at Noon,” will prove this.) But it is understood when hearing a CD such as Solitaire is, what is in the forefront, and what must be thought is the band’s desire to showcase, are the vocals. And when in a band, having such a vocalist as Edelsbacher is, the fans – are picking up each release knowing what speaker filling capacity that Sabine has. But that is trivial, as this truly is a solid release … so let’s move on…
The incredible piano and bass guitar riffs of “Higher,” that also truly showcases the vocal range of Sabine as here she ranges from the low to the high in escalating fashion. The distorted power chords of the hard rocking “Bon Voyage Vagabond,” the mid tempo, vocal harmony heavy “Come Undone,” the Middle-Eastern flair heard during the intro of “Further Afield,” the soaring “Out of this World,“ the incredible guitar solos of “Brothers on Diamir,” (that also in certain moments had hints of Circus Maximus, but sadly did have some hard to understand vocals) and the orchestral, majestic pomp of the closing track, “Exit Unique.”
Solitaire is emotional as hell, aggressive in many moments, operatic and symphonic. But what is a standout of this particular CD is that it never comes across as self righteous. Never, during each of these track’s playing time, are the moments of music there for the sake of just having music. Each note plays into the theme of the feel of the track. There are no needless notes, no ripping guitar solos (as it were) just for the sake of having them. Although, the solos that are heard, are excellent. The CD doesn’t demand a listen, meaning that the music isn’t thrust toward the listener in a vain attempt to fill the ears of the unsuspecting with what doesn’t need to be heard. But instead, what comes across is a CD that plays out naturally and much like a complex symphony, it progresses as smooth, effortless and, most important of all – wonderfully.
Genre: Symphonic/Progressive Rock
Musicians
Sabine Edelsbacher – vocals
Lanvalle – guitars/keyboards
Max Pointner – drums
Dominik Sebastian – guitars
Track Listing
Entrée Unique
Solitaire
Higher
Skyline’s End
Bon Voyage Vagabond
Come Undone
Out of this World
Further Afield
A Virtual Dream?
Brothers in Diamir
Exit Unique
Label: Napalm Records
HRH Rating : 8.8/10