EDEN'S CURSE - review added 7th March 2011
Album Review: Trinity (2011)
For fans of: Metal... and Dream Theater
Eden's Curse is a strange band line-up wise. This isn't your typical met-in-the-pub/met-at-school group of friends. These guys come from across the world, and it's probably only by chance they even exist. The constituent parts, American Michael Eden on vocals, German Thorsten Koehne on guitars, Scotsman Paul Logue on bass, Italian Alessandro Del Vecchio on keyboards, and Englishman Pete Newdeck on drums are together for the first time on "Trinity", keyboards previously being played by German Ferdy Doernberg.
"Trinity", as the name suggests, is the band's 3rd album and follows their self-titled debut from 2007 and "The Second Coming" from 2008. We can only assume their next album will be called "Quattro Formagio" or similar. The album is once again produced by long term engineer Dennis Ward (Krokus, Allen & Lande, Pink Cream 69), and features Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie duetting on 'No Holy Man' and adding backing vocals throughout. Andi Deris (Helloween) duets on 'Black Widow'.
The Eden's Curse sound is a combination of theatrical, progressive and melodious metals wrapped into one very accessible style. There isn't really another band out there that sounds like them, and the addition of a classy vocalist like James LaBrie only adds to the excellent ambience. Michael Eden will always be a take-it-or-leave-it vocalist. His high-register tone does take some getting used to but for me he's worth the effort. Every time I come back to older Eden's Curse work after not hearing it for a few months, it always takes several spins to get back in the groove. "Trinity" is the same. It's almost necessary to make your brain change it's musical outlook before the sound rolls in the correct direction.
The musicianship throughout the album is first class, as is the production. Alessandro Del Vecchio adds some wonderfully majestic keyboards, and the overall sound is so epic it's upsetting...that more albums can't sound this good.
Song wise, the title track explodes into life. It's a catchy, bright, speedy number with plenty of appeal. 'Saints Of Tomorrow' is everything the first track is and more. Great harmonies, cool musicianship...it has everything really. 'No Holy Man' is a slower, more thoughtful track featuring Mr. Dream Theater adding a great duel lead. He, and the iconic keyboard sounds give the song an amazing vibe. 'Guardian Angel' is a gentler track, very much soft metal ballad in its structure. It's certainly good, but perhaps a touch over-sentimental to be truly great. 'Can't Fool The Devil' is back in the right direction, rattling along at a fair old lick and boasting a load of catchy lyrics.
'Rivers Of Destiny' is a memorable mid tempo rocker with a cool sing along chorus. 'Dare To Be Different' is a racy song with big rhythms and plenty else to like. 'Children Of The Tide' calms things down, but it isn't really a ballad, more a thoughtful slow song. It works well, certainly a lot better than the first 'slowy'. 'Black Widow' is a heavy entry with a great symphonic backbone. For my tastes it could have been even heavier, but that's a small moan. 'Jerusalem Sleeps' is a monster of a track. The title suggest something anal and annoying. The result is anything but.
Final track 'Rock N'Roll Children' is a cover of the Dio classic, and to be honest it's cr*p in comparison to the original. The musicianship is fine, but Michael's voice doesn't suit the track at all.
In Summation:
Apart from the pointless cover, this is a brilliant album that's up there with the band's debut. Those vocals will always remain love/hate, but it's worth persevering. It's worth the effort.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Check out... All of it, except the cover.
Track List:
01. Trinitas Sanctus (Intro)
02. Trinity
03. Saints Of Tomorrow
04. No Holy Man
05. Guardian Angel
06. Can't Fool The Devil
07. Rivers Of Destiny
08. Dare To Be Different
09. Children Of The Tide
10. Black Widow
11. Jerusalem Sleeps
12. Rock N'Roll Children
Label: AFM Records
Artist's website(s): Eden's Curse | MySpace | Facebook
