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"Edge Of Forever's "Ritual" is a melodic hard rock/heavy rock opus that's pleasant to listen to, but lacks impact over time."
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3/5
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If it took three years for Edge Of Forever's latest opus, "Seminole", to arrive on the scene, we only had to wait a single year for the trio's latest offering to land on our turntables. "Ritual" is the new production by the hyperactive Alessandro Del Vecchio, figurehead of the Frontiers label.
Turning once again to painful Native American history, the album evokes twins who are separated and sent to a boarding school where they are asked to forget their culture, which they refuse by practicing their idiom in secret. The boy eventually escapes and, at the end of a journey of a lifetime, finds his sister on her deathbed. Pride, resistance and pain, but also ultimate happiness and self-fulfillment, are the themes explored here.
The work spans the spectrum from hard rock to melodic heavy metal, occasionally revealing progressive constructions. Discovering "Ritual" is like plunging into waters reminiscent of the Deep Purple of "Perfect Stranger" ('Water Be My Path') and the speed-classical delirium of Malmsteen ('Freeing My Will'), before emerging on the shores of easy-listening Hard Rock akin to Revolution Saints but with a heavier tone ('The Last One' and 'Where Are You'). The trade winds that blow over these lands can also carry the sounds of Rainbow's keyboards ('Forever's Unfolding') and caress us on a ballad that could be judged a little too classic ('Love Is The Only Answer').
As a climax to the score, we find a seven-part piece (the eponymous title track). It would be fair to count only four of them, as the other three - very short - don't add much to the concept (Indian litany, Triumph-style choir and one-and-a-half-minute piano/voice ballad). As for the rest, it's a case of melodic hard/heavy rock compositions, certainly solid, but not bordering on genius, where we come across Myrath, some of Uriah Heep's organ sounds and some progressive attempts.
As a result, "Ritual" is a pleasant listen, but the pleasure it provides is no more than fleeting. Del Vecchio's involvement in Edge Of Forever's project is obvious and commendable - he's singing better and better - but the impact of his work, whose melodies only sporadically really hit the mark, will have trouble convincing the listener. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
 01. Where Are You?
02. Water Be My Path
03. Freeing My Will
04. The Last One
05. Love Is The Only Answer
06. Forever's Unfolding
07. Ritual Pt. I
08. Ritual Pt. II Revert Destiny
09. Ritual Pt. III Taunting Souls
10. Ritual Pt. IV Baptized In Fire
11. Ritual Pt. V Ride The Wings Of Hope
12. Ritual Pt. VI Cross My Eyes
13. Ritual Pt. VII Reconciliation
LINEUP:
Aldo Lonobile : Guitares
Alessandro Del Vecchio: Chant / Claviers
Marco Di Salvia: Batterie
Nik Mazzucconi: Basse
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READERS
-/5 (0 view(s))
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STAFF:
3/5 (1 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH EDGE OF FOREVER
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