EDGE OF FOREVER: Native Soul (MELODIC HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

After ten years of abstinence, Edge Of Forever finally gives birth to a fourth album. Its name may not evoke anything to you but, besides the fact that its first three efforts weren't devoid of beautiful qualities in an energetic and melodic register, this Italian band takes on board the singer and keyboard player Alessandro Del Vecchio, who's not unknown to the faithfuls of the Frontiers label with whom, from Jorn to Holy Revolutions, he never stops being associated.

The list of his collaborations, past or present, is as big as the phone book. Among them are Silent Force and Voodoo Circle, two bands with whom Edge Of Forever has a close relationship that is not only human but also artistic. If you don't know these Italians yet, you'll have understood that they draw their inspiration, with a certain talent by the way, between powerful AOR and classy hard rock with Rainbow colours.

The mimicry with Rainbow is obvious, as when the singer seems to merge with Doogie White on 'Take Your Time' for example. Del Vecchio's warm and sensual voice impresses all along, to the point of wondering why Alex Beyrodt reduced him to the role of a simple keyboardist when he would be perfect as frontman.

Alessandro can count here on solid guys to support him, between Labÿrinth's bassist Nick Mazzucconi, drummer Marco Di Salvia (Hardline) and especially Aldo Lonobile, guitarist of Death SS and Secret Sphere. The quartet offers with "Native Soul" a pure product stamped hard rock melodic, racy and elegant. From Whitesnake ('Ride With The Wind') to Deep Purple ('I Made Myself What I Am'), the influences more than come to the surface but never embarrass impeccable compositions that no weakness comes to encumber.

Shimmering guitar, generous keyboards, roaring vocals and coverdalian ('War') feed an ensemble nourished by the 80's ('Promised Land'), a time when the songs lined up for our greatest pleasure indelible choruses and virtuoso solos on a bed of finely chiselled melodies. Edge Of Forever is the worthy heir, craftsman of a vigorous music whose technical skill doesn't exonerate it from a pleasant simplicity. And nevermind if the whole exhales at times an already heard tune ('Dying Sun', 'Carry On'), it's so well done that we forgive the Italians for conventions they can't escape.

With this "Native Soul" as vitaminized as it is brilliant, Edge Of Forever is writing a new chapter of its career with a new start. Let's bet that the support of Frontiers Records should give him the exposure he was missing until now and allow this album to reach a wider audience. He deserves it and so does the band. - Official website

EDGE OF FOREVER

NATIVE SOUL

FRONTIERS RECORDS

MELODIC HARD ROCK