Following a biblical sized bust up with their former singer, Eden's Curse rise from the ashes with a cracking new vocalist and album that blows their previous releases out of the water. If this heavyweight collection of guitar driven anthems doesn't see them ascend to the major leagues then it's surely the end of days for quality rock music.
For newcomers, Eden's Curse deliver a razor edged onslaught of melodic metal that recalls the likes of Pink Cream 69, Dokken and Queensryche. They formed through an internet noticeboard in 2006 and feature a cast of musicians who live and work in different countries.
Founding member and bassist Paul Logue is based in Glasgow, dazzling guitarist Thorsten Koehne Germany, while new keyboard player Steve Williams and drumming powerhouse Pete Newdeck hail from England. Completing the line up is their latest recruit, Serbian singer Nikola Mijic.
Thanks to the miracles of modern technology each band member records their parts at home, with the files sent to each other over the internet to fashion the final product. Does that detract from the overall sound and chemistry? Hell no - 'Symphony Of Sin' is an immense blast of hook-laden hard rock that strikes like a sonic sledge hammer from first minute to last.
Disciples of the band may have feared the worst when their original frontman bolted, but it's actually been a blessing in disguise. Nikola is an exceptional singer whose vocals aren't so much a step up as a quantum leap.
With a Euro metal tonality similar to Tobias Sammet, shades of Steve Augeri and an ability to excel in any register, Nik possesses an instinctive feel for what a song needs. His shifting nuances within Losing My Faith give a rolling boulder momentum as he moves from angelic croon, through swaggering sneer to heaven piercing holler with thrilling results.
Whatever the track requires he delivers in style, hitting high notes with impressive power and control on Fallen From Grace – with his tremulous vibrato aping a young Bruce Dickinson - while summoning a beastial bellow on Devil In Disguise and soulful AOR gloss during Wings To Fly. With him at the helm, Eden's Curse can traverse all of rocks sub genres with equal panache.
Which is handy, as these songs are not only the strongest and most consistent of the bands career, but also incorporate a few tweaks that give the material a more contemporary feel.
Witness the radio friendly stylings of Unbreakable and Rock Bottom. The former is a supremely sculpted gem, featuring a rapturous rhythmic charge and sparkling chorus bursting with indomitable spirit and impeccable pop smarts. While the latter's soulful hook crowns a sinewy concoction of sabre toothed riffs, strident grooves and gang chant backing vocals.
For all the gusto, there's plenty of light and shade courtesy of top notch instrumental work. Steve Williams keyboards bring a style reminiscent of early Dream Theater, adding subtle textures which embellish without overpowering. While Thorsten once again shines, from his evocative acoustic picking to solos rich in tuneful phrasing and outstanding flair.
For all the evolution, this record still screams Eden's Curse. The epic title track opens with an cinematic orchestral score before the band thunder into action. Koehne's scalding riff signals the battle cry as William's tumbling keys and Newdeck's stone shattering drums threaten to annihilate anything in their path.
Evil & Divine is a characteristic 'Curse diamond, propelled by Logue's galloping bass towards a mean, moody and melodic chorus that doesn't so much soar as skyrocket. Elsewhere, Break The Silence is a blunt force rocker with meaty backing vocals and Turn The Page a swirling riff-driven ass kicker with yet another fist pumping chorus.
Until this point, Eden's Curse had released three very good albums that contained moments of greatness. With its all killer no filler track list, 'Symphony Of Sin' is their first truly great album.
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For newcomers, Eden's Curse deliver a razor edged onslaught of melodic metal that recalls the likes of Pink Cream 69, Dokken and Queensryche. They formed through an internet noticeboard in 2006 and feature a cast of musicians who live and work in different countries.
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