Genre: Melodic/Power Metal
Label: 7Hard
Running Time:
Release Dates: July 16, 2010
Links: www.myspace.com/empiresofeden
Links: www.myspace.com/rockngrowl
Links: www.7hard.com
Credits
Stu Marshall – Guitars / Bass / Orchestra (Empires of Eden, Paindivision)
Featuring on vocals:
Mike Vescara (Obsession, Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen)
Louie Gorgievski (Empires Of Eden, Crimsonfire)
Sean Peck (Cage)
Zak Stevens (Savatage, Circle II Circle)
Mike Zoias (Dune, Transcending Mortality)
Chris Ninni (outstanding session vocalist)
Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper, Onslaught, Lionsheart, GrimmStine)
Carlos Zema (Outworld)
Keyboard solo – Bobby Williamson (Eumeria)
Additional harmonies by Louie Gorgievski
Intro screams by Mike Vescera, Carlos Zema, Toshinori Kamiya
Jasix – Drums
Produced by: Stu Marshall
Recorded, mixed & mastered by: Stu Marshall – Dan Quinlan
Cover artwork & booklet design by: Alex Ruiz
1. Of light and shadows – Feat Mike Vescera
2. Enter the storm – Feat Louie Gorgievski
3. Total Devastation – Feat Sean Peck (Cage)**
4. Prognatus Ut Obscurum – Feat Zak Stevens**
5. Reborn in Fire – Feat Chris Ninni &Mike Zoias**
6. Beyond Daybreak – Feat Steve Grimmett**
7. Death Machine – Feat Louie Gorgievski**
8. Searching Within – Feat. Louie Gorgievski
9. Rising – Feat Carlos Zema
**Hot Tracks
Super groups always peak my interest, you just never really know what to expect when you pack the voices of some outstanding metal singers and let them run wild with ideas. Such is the case with Empires Of Eden which already consists of some talented Australian singers from from their debut record “Songs of War and Vengeance”. The guest vocals features Zak Stevens (Savatage), Mike Vescera (Loudness), Steve Grimmett (Onlaught), Carlos Zema (outworld) and Sean Peck (Cage). Wondering what this all-star collaboration sounds like? Well the structures of the songs are power metal, but as each guest musician lays down it’s own vocal style, the songs follows each vocalist’s style quite well to make it they’re own.
For instance the opener “Of Light And Shadows” features Vescera and it sounds like mix of power and traditional heavy metal. Zach Stevens vocal contributions on “Prognatus ut obscurum ” has him for the first time since the Savatage days dwelling into power metal style and it works quite well, as the group does a nice job of playing towards his vocal strengths. Stevens wrote the lyrics and it sound’s more catchier and heavier then any of the past Circle II Circle material he has previously recorded. The slowly evil driving buildup in “Reborn In Fire” serves as an outstanding title track as “Chris Ninni” does a tremendous job on vocals. I hope to hear more from this man as his voice has an eerie resemblance to Joe Lynn Turner, can you say underrated?
Pleasantly surprised as I was kept entertained for most of the record, excluding the last track “Rising” as I felt it dragged on a bit. Nothing to much to bring the score down, as the overall experience is steel solid. What takes the cake is the treat to see all these amazing vocalists doing some great vocal work and raising the material and making it more appealing. Let’s not forget Stu Marshall who does a great job handling the production here. For any fans of heavy metal and traditional power metal “Empires” is a must have.
Written by Denys
Ratings Denys 8/10
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