Edguy, one of the saviors of traditional Heavy Metal to emerge in the 90s along with fellow Europeans Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, Stratovarius, Primal Fear, Angra, Kamelot, and Hammerfall. When the US hard rock and heavy metal listeners were buying into grunge, “Nu metal” (obviously was the anti metal), alternative, hardcore, and any other trend that came through town, I supported Edguy and what was happening overseas, thankfully.

Anyway, the last album, “Age Of The Joker”, was a good compliment to “Rocket Ride”, as is “Space Police”. “Police” has the variety and uses some effects on the instruments, see opener ‘Sabre & Torch’ boasting some grit in guitars with a traditional Edguy driving rhythm and chorus. The change at the solo section has a great grind and galloping ride out. Keys and guitar work together similarly to ‘King Of Fools’, and a little talk box on the guitar for the second part to the title track, twin guitar harmonies and Hammerfall “wooohhh” chants add spirit. All the hallmarks in tact. Then we come to ‘Love Tyger’ (common guys, that video, did you have to do something silly, again?), Edguy’s sense of humor, the tongue and cheek catchy LA rock influenced moment on par with ‘Superheros’, ‘Lavatory Love Machine’. Much better than ‘Robin Hood’ (was that video bad). Fast riffs and lots of drums drive ‘The Realms of Baba Yaga’, here again we get a strong change for the solo section. ‘Rock Me Amadeus’, an 80s cover, follows a similar layout as the original, Tobi switches up his delivery to an almost rap, the rest of the band chimes in for the chorus. Ehh, its ok, but do we need this?? And ‘Do Me Like A Caveman’…what’s with the titles on this album? We get the point, you guys have fun with your metal. Keyboard captures a tuneful melody for ballad ‘Alone In Myself’, with Tobi’s soft vocal starting off the epic closer ‘Eternal Wayfare’ which reminds me of ‘Behind the Gates to Midnight World’ from “Joker”. Ending strong.

I know Tobi has gone on record saying this is the best Edguy album to date, and believe me I wanted to love this album too. I like it, its enjoyable, but think it would have been even better if they trimmed some of the bells and whistles. But also, I can’t help comparing to “Hellfire Club” and “Rocket Ride”… man, that pure crunchy guitar tone, the Iron Maiden, Helloween/Gamma Ray, Dio, LA strip hard rock moments that are part of Edguy’s formula came together so well and are just unstoppable!