EDGUY „Rocket Ride”

Music: Power Metal
Country: Germany
Website: http://www.edguy.net
Duration: 60.12


Cool Songs: Catch of the Century, Wasted Time, Rocket Ride, Fucking With Fire, Scarifice

You know, it pays not to take Edguy too seriously folks. As much as I want to pass these guys off as another middle of the road happy power metal act and ignore them, there is something about this mob that is maddeningly infectious. Oh yes, they’re as silly as they come – which, by the way has never stopped me liking something – and they do push the envelope a little too much, but one listen to those ‘catchy-choruses’ of theirs and I’m pretty much sold.

With the arrival of ‘Rocket Ride’ there is much to like about Edguy. And after 14 years in the game and having released power metal gems such 'Theater of Salvation', 'Mandrake' and 2004’s ‘Hellfire Club’ it is clear that these guys know their strengths. However, it is also clear that Edguy are not interested in playing ‘safe’. Based on the lack of ‘originality’ on ‘Rocket Ride’ some would probably disagree with such a statement. But hear me out folks! As far as I am concerned the most pleasing and satisfying aspect about ‘RR’ is that it is NOT a power metal album. Seriously, this is a very surprising album style wise – those folk expecting an album chock full of speedy double bass anthems will find ‘RR’ to be far from accommodating.

If anything, ‘Rocket Ride’ is proof of a band willing to be a little less predictable and embrace the melodic hard rock sound. Of course, the essential Edguy characteristics are there for all to see – the warm, but thoroughly crunchy production, the overtly dramatic tonsils of Tobias Sammet and those typical upbeat double bass driven cuts will please long time fans. Still, its where the band explores the more melodic side to their song writing, even to the point of moving into AOR territory that makes ‘RR’ a more diverse affair. Having said, there are moments where things get quite ‘epic’ – note the opening 8 minute ‘Sacrifice’ only to be trumped by their own quirky craziness via the calypso (yes!) inspired ‘Trinidad’ which sounds like a completely different band all together. Then there’s ‘Fucking With Fire’ – a more rounded tongue in cheek did at the 80’s Hair Metal scene – it’s silly as hell, but I like it!
In my mind ‘Rocket Ride’ turns out to be Edguy’s most accessible album to date. Musically it’s not the most original metal album to ever be released, yet it also finds Edguy willing to explore beyond the typical clichés of the Power Metal style. If quirky, well constructed, catchy as hell melodic rock songs are your bag – and you can handle to odd German silliness – ‘Rocket Ride’ is worth your time. In the end this is a much better album than I ever expected.

note: 7.8

Tracklist

Sacrifice
Rocket Ride
Wasted Time
Matrix
Return To The Tribe
The Asylum
Save Me
Catch Of The Century
Out Of Vogue
Superheroes
Trinidad
Fucking With Fire