German power metal band Edguy is hard to pin down. On one album you're likely to hear medieval fantasy flavored songs in the vein of Iron Maiden or Blind Guardian alongside hair metal inspired hits like "Lavoratory Love Machine" and "King of Fools." They've been known to branch out into loud and proud power ballad material. Their material ranges from soaring bombast that sends chills down your spine, to goofy head-scratching attempts at humor that generally don't come off too well.A common thread (if there is one) is that Edguy really, really seems to be enjoying themselves and doing whatever the hell they want.
I've gotta give credit to my friend Falze for turning me on to these guys. If you haven't heard of Edguy before (and most people in the States haven't, it seems), they're definitely worth checking out. Though their first full studio album is 1997's Kingdom of Madness, they sound like they picked up where 1988 left off and kept on playing. Their sound on songs like "Theatre of Salvation" (which incorporates an all-male church choir to great effect) is borderline divine. They're not afraid to do it big and epic, which is what I want when I listen to metal.
Some of their lyrics are ... puzzling, though I might chalk that up to a translation issue (Edguy is German but their songs are written in English). Others are grinningly good, like they've been taken from the pages of a purple swords and sorcery tale:
Prayers have been spoken
May the gods be on my side
May they join my way to bring me victory
seven at one stroke
my triumph and my pride
will be history
As I've stated on numerous occasions what draws me to certain metal acts is the singing, and Edguy shines in this regard. Tobias Sammet is a pretty awe-inspiring lead singer. He's got tremendous range and a great sound, which is why I have him in my top 10 metal vocalists of all time.
Some of my favorite Edguy songs include:
Jerusalem
Theater of Salvation
Vain Glory Opera
The Piper Never Dies
Babylon
Rise of the Morning Glory
Hallowed
If I had to pick a favorite album, it would probably be Hellfire Club by a hair, though Mandrake and Theater of Salvation are in the running, too. Their last couple albums have been a letdown but I'm hoping they return to form with Age of the Joker, due out in August.
I got off at Rocket Ride. My favorite is the re-recording of the Savage Poetry, the sound on that one is perfect, but the very close second would be the slightly rough sounding Vain Glory Opera.
ReplyDeleteSammet is a good singer but I don't like anything he's done since Rocket Ride, including Avantasia. Have you checked out Avantasia?
Hmmm...leave long comment? Or just leave address to existing take on Edguy?
ReplyDeletehttp://truefalze.blogspot.com/2011/05/edguy-tinnitus-sanctus-european.html
Rocket Ride was quite a let down, butcherhammer, apart from "The Asylum", and things have been shaky since. I actually finding myself like the original Savage Poetry more, poor sound and all, it's nice and raw. Vain Glory Opera, with Hansi himself making an appearance, is really good.
I'm a bit up and down on Avantasia, the first release I really liked, as well as The Scarecrow, the other 3 are less impressive with The Wicked Symphony being the next best and Avantasia 2 the worst.
Fingers crossed for the new album.
Butcherhammer: Yup, I was very disappointed with Rocket Ride and never warmed to Tinnitus Sanctus.
ReplyDeleteI like Avantasia, but I find them a mixed bag and prefer Edguy.
Falze: Thanks for the linked review, I will check that out.
My fingers are crossed for the new one, too. I'm about the same on Avantasia, too. The first two were good, but inconsistent, and the new ones are like Rocket Ride and Tinnitus.
ReplyDeleteSammet still has a good voice, he's just not writing the music I want to hear.
New news:
ReplyDelete1. ROBIN HOOD
2. NOBODY'S HERO
3. ROCK OF CASHEL
4. PANDORA'S BOX
5. BREATHE
6. TWO OUT OF SEVEN
7. FACES IN THE DARKNESS
8. THE ARCANE GUILD
9. FIRE ON THE DOWNLINE
10. BEHIND THE GATES TO MIDNIGHT WORLD
11. EVERY NIGHT WITHOUT YOU
"The "Age of the Joker“ album is a really solid, well composed, filled with variations, work. It will most certainly be a highlight of the year for all Heavy Metal fans. Much better than "Tinnitus Sanctus“ and with an interesting 80s rock touch. Edguy follows its own way, and this is good!“ Rock Hard (F) / Francois Blanc
==
word verification: fartne - I hope Age Of The Joker doesn't leave me fartne
That's a little more encouraging.
ReplyDeleteHell, Yes! Edguy is in constant rotation on my mp3 player.
ReplyDelete