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Tracklist
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 the vogue
10. Superheroes
11. Trinidad
12. Fucking with fire
13. Standing in the rain
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Coming from a group that's traditionally known as a straightforward, power metal outfit, 'Rocket Ride', the latest offering from Germans Edguy contains very little 'power metal' at all. In fact, the band has undertaken a direction that is more similar to that of eighties metal in terms of substance with the group's new material bringing bands like Def Leppard, Tesla, Bon Jovi, Europe, Queensryche and more to mind. However, Edguy are no imitators. In fact, if anything, Edguy is most assuredly the real thing. When one considers the group's solid-as-a-rock musical sensibilities and couples such skilled undertakings with 21st Century studio production values, the results are nothing short of tremendous.
Although not exactly the same type of music that seriously infected American rock radio in the late seventies and early eighties, the often more potent dynamics of 'Rocket Ride' are intertwined with the types of tones, themes and arrangements that make them easily familiar, all the while, building upon that melodic rock attitude with a decidedly modern edge and adept authority. In the past, the group has been treated as a novelty, mostly due to their blatant similarity to compatriots in the German power metal scene, but this record does much to shed the band's almost-cartoonish past image and expose them for what they really are – purveyors of some of the most brilliant damn hard rock you'll find in this day and age.
Anthems such as the forthright, resounding 'Wasted Time' and the space-age burner 'Return To The Tribe', which imparts a presence that suggests the group's former power metal preferences are proof positive that the band can still rage with melody intact. Another high point is the out-of-control title track, 'Rocket Ride,' which displays riffing akin to Eddie Van Halen and Mick Mars, overlaid by an impressive bout of belting from vocalist Tobias Sammet. Upon hearing exciting tracks such as these, it's plain to see that Edguy has developed their own musical niche, bearing identity yet expertly recalling familiar kinds of arrangements and textures within their songwriting which make the group sound like a combination of at least five of your favorite classic metal acts in a single moment.
A build to crescendo marks 'The Asylum', anchored by a massive, arena-rocking hook that owns ninety-five percent of the groups treading this type of musical path today. Edguy may have toned down the beats per minute during certain times, but as the group so accurately portrays as the record progresses, the bombastic nature inherent in their tuneful yet often roaring is unmistakably attractive. 'Save Me' succeeds as a bona-fide rock ballad, its large-room drums and clean, warm, electric guitar tones ringing with authority into an instantly memorable chorus. The jury has always seemed to be divided evenly, with many fans affirming the band's status as factual rock gods and others finding the Germans' balance of harmony and might to be a bit too uncreative. Edguy proves the former correct in their opinions with 'Rocket Ride.' This is exactly he type of adventurously talented album that rock fans have been clamoring for these past two decades. All in all, an outstanding display of heavy metal might that the fans will not want to miss!
Review by: Erin Fox
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