The mighty Blind Guardian are part of what I consider the Power Metal Big Four from the 90s alongside Gamma Ray, Stratovarius, and Iced Earth. "Edge of Time" (album number nine) makes a slight turn away from 06’s "A Twist In The Myth", and pulling back on the Queen type overly layered vocals found on “A Night At The Opera”. And as it has been since the album “Imaginations From The Other Side”, the music follows more of a prog format, still including (but not focusing on) the speed metal riffs, but more of an emphasis on changes in rhythms and vocal melodies.

Opener ‘Sacred Worlds’, originally recorded and released in 2008 for the video game Sacred World: Fallen Angel, was a glimpse into the bands direction for "Edge of Time", a mix of "Tales From The Twilight World" and "Imaginations From The Other Side", which carries nicely into ‘Tanelorn (into The Void)’. Third tune ‘Road Of No Release’ starts with piano for this slower number (kind of like ‘Bright Eyes’). A galloping rhythm, trademark guitar leads and vocal harmonies on ‘Ride Into Obsession’ take you back the album "Nightfall In Middle Earth" and ‘Curse My Name’ use acoustic guitars and flute achieving a folk ‘Bard’s Song’ feel. ‘Valkyries’ builds a bit in the opening hitting a steady pace with a nice bridge. ‘Control The Divine’ uses those triumphant leads and chorus, subtle tempo change, they’re known for. I like the piano and melodies in ‘War Of The Thrones’ and first single/video ‘A Voice In The Dark’ is classic speed metal Guardian.

Even though overall it’s not a very aggressive album (I was hoping they would get closer to their roots like on "Somewhere Far Beyond"), it’s still quality Blind Guardian and not a repeat of their past.