After 10 successful studio albums, EDENBRIDGE are once again strongly living up to their band name with their latest artistry “Shangri-La”. They take their dedicated listeners along with them on their musical bridge that clearly leads to real worlds where goose bumps are guaranteed. Real because, instead of a kitschy sound cliché, they continue to offer a sophisticated range of compositions along with an intoxicating and bombastic sound atmosphere. Despite consistently high quality standards, the band continually expands their musical expression from album to album without abandoning their trademarks.
Lanvall: “Instead of going on a European tour in spring 2020, it was a matter of flipping on our creative switch and channelling those intense energies into a transformative song writing process for the new album.” Nine strong and emotional songs were brought to creation during this time. The core of the new album is moulded by the multi-layered opener within “At First Light” that is sustained by opulent orchestral and choral elements and followed midway by its “Floydian” (Pink Floyd) section and then completed with a monumental gospel-like finale. Then the 16-minute, five-part, epic track “The Bonding (Part 2)” in which ErikMartensson (Eclipse, W.E.T.) can be heard as Sabine's duet partner completes the core.
Sabine: “Erik was already a part of the first “The Bonding” (2013). But what he has done vocally this time around is unbelievable to me. Lyrically, Erik plays the role of the continually questioning and struggling intellect within and I embody the voice of the bigger picture. Our dialogue culminates in a breathtaking finale that even exceeded all of our expectations. I get goosebumps when I hear the song now and that doesn't happen so easily.”
The album is accompanied by 3 singles and their accompanying videos. “Somewhere Else But Here” was released as a lyric video on March 14, 2022. The quasi-title song “The Road To Shangri-La” followed on May 20th as a combined lyric/performance video and the main single “The Call Of Eden” followed as an official video clip at the end of July.
Alongside the two heaviest tracks on the album, “Hall Of Shame” and “Freedom Is A Roof Made Of Stars,” both of which At First Light is clearly a symphonic metal track. The female lead vocals are not bad but miss a bit of the overpowering feel. The length of the song is pretty epic, but doesn’t bother me as I discover enough variety in the sound (even with a bluesy touch) and in the tempo.
The Call of Eden is a very epic song with strong backing vocals. This song almost makes you feel happy, just missing that little extra sparkle.
Hall of Shame starts with hammering drums and a rambling bass. The tempo is pretty high.
Savage Land starts slowly with an acoustic guitar and vocals gently weeping. The song incarnates the title track in a marvellous way with on top a great flute that takes the lead (next to the vocals).
Somewhere ElseBut Here explodes fast, gets a high tempo (just as the vocals go really sky high at some point).
Freedom Is A Roof Made Of Stars is a strong metal track that explodes from the start and gets backed up by the symphonic touch. Towards the end it gets a more cinematic sound.
Arcadia (The Great Escape) is powerful and yet fragile track where the vocals reign supported by backings and a symphonic sound (but all kept in the background).
The Road To Shangri-La is a fast rocking song with an epic feel and a positive vibe!
The Bonding (PT2) has a rambling guitar sound, a soft symphonic touch and a piano. That’s how it starts. From then on the tempo goes up and down and gets a very theatrical touch and even male vocals. The song lasts for 16 minutes! It’s also the closing track!
It was a bit strange for me to notice it’s already their 11th studio album and this is the first time I review them. I hear the potential, but according to me the vocals are not strong enough and miss that little extra punch to make it really top notch (as There are zillions of similar bands). I hope they still make it and reach out more. Off course I can’t know every band, but still I feel a bit weird telling this is my first time.
