EDENBRIDGE: The Grand Design

Cover	Release	Style
	2006-05-27	epic angelic melodic metal
	Label
	www.massacre-records.com / www.truemusic.de
	Website
	www.edenbridge.org
	Contact
	-
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	49:17	MAS PC0502
	Review by / Translated by	Rating
	Vera	8/10
nederlands	Review
Though Edenbridge is mostly labelled as one of the gothic rock bands with a female front lady, yet the music of this Austrian collective happens to be more traditional, therefore it will appeal to fans of classic rock and AOR too. That’s the feeling I got when I saw them live in 2003 (tour with Trail of Tears and Sirenia), and this feeling grows after listening to their - in the meantime - fifth album ‘The Grand Design’ which is the successor of the 2004 release ‘Shine’. The title ‘The Grand Design’ is a proper choice, for it sounds very orchestral and bombastic. Yet you notice that they worked hard on this album. The guitar skills of composer Lanvall for instance, are euphonious all album long. Of course you have to like the quiet serene, angelic vocals of Sabine Edelsbacher and the modest choirs which give the album a nearly musical-like tinge. Like mentioned above, a number of guest musicians co-operated on ‘The Grand Design’. Karl Groom’s appearance is not that strange, for he is involved in the recordings at the Thin Ice studio (U.K.), one of the locations this album was recorded. The presence of Robby Valentine and Dennis Ward originates in this extensive recording process too. Once more, Lanvall managed to write nine remarkable compositions. A few ballads (‘The Most Beautiful Place’ and the piano ballad ‘Taken Away’), but also an instrumental track ‘Empire Of The Sun’ as bonus. During the ten minutes long title track happens a lot, that s why I suggest this piece of music as a tip to listen to. A meritorious album which needs a few spins before unfurling all its secrets.
Musicians
Sabine Edelsbacher: lead and backing vocals Lanvall: lead & rhythm guitars, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards, bouzouki, mandolin Frank Bindig: bass Roland Navratil: drums Guest Robby Valentine: backing vocals and choirs on ‘Terra Nova’, ‘The Grand Design’ and ‘Taken Away’. Piano solo on ‘Terra Nova’ Dennis Ward: backing vocals and choirs on ‘Flame Of Passion’, ‘Evermore’, See You Fading Afar’, ‘On Top Of The World’. Karl Groom: guitar solo on ‘Terra Nova’ Martin Mayr: flamenco and acoustic guitar solo on ‘The Grand Design’, additional rhythm guitar Astrid Stockhammer: solo violin on ‘The Grand Design’.
Tracklist
Terra Nova (7:07) Flame Of Passion (5:20) Evermore (3:43) The Most Beautiful Place (3:07) See You Fading Afar (4:43) On Top Of The World (5:01) Taken Away (4:11) The Grand Design (10:14) Empire Of The Sun (5:22) (limited edition bonus track)
Discography


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