Angel Of Eden is Artension guitarist Roger Staffelbach’s new band project. Joining him on his new musical adventure is Evidence One's Carsten Schulz and Rami Ali on vocals and drums respectively and former Bruce Dickinson band member Mistheria on keyboards. Compared to Roger's day job in Artension which is prog’ metal, Angel Of Eden are a more accessible metal band brimming with neo-classical flavours and traditional power metal rhythms. After listening to this album a lot recently I can say that the overall effect is very pleasing, especially to someone who grew up, like myself, listening to healthy doses of Yngwie Malmsteen and Cacophony.

The album kicks off in fine style with “Till The End Of Never”, a song that instantly brought to mind Yngwie's guitar riff from “I’ll See The Light Tonight” but tempered with the excitement of Jake E Lee’s “Bark At The Moon” riffery. The vocals from Schulz sound as though he is really being pushed, the result of which, at times, have him sounding like Sammy Hagar mixing it with Joe Lyn Turner. The track comes across as more than a neo-classical workout thanks to some great power metal drumming and the effect sounds completely “right”. Next up is “Dreamchaser” which is foot to the floor, surging and unstoppable rock of the finest order. The drumming of Rami is right on the money as he pushes and pulls the band along. In the end everyone just manages to keep up.

“Angel Of Eden” has a subtler groove as the power metal tempo is dropped down a notch. The song has a strong chorus and the main guitar solo is wonderfully melodic sounding like a heady mixture of Yngwie and Blackmore (circa early Rainbow). “Return Of The Pharaoh”(Pt’1) for this reviewer is a track sent from heaven. The whole vibe of this track took me back to the days when I was first getting into Yngwie. It’s a melodic, grand, epic and balls to the wall tour de force neo-classical workout. Dazzling fiery guitar licks trade off with keyboard patterns. It’s been a long time since the Phrygian mode sounded so cool. It’s worth noting that this track also features a guest appearance on guitar from Dave Shankle (ex Manowar).

“The Battle Of 1386” features another guest appearance but this time it's on vocals in the shape of John West (Royal Hunt). The song itself starts out sounding like something from the Lord Of The Rings movie soundtrack but morphs into a great heavy, fat and fruity riffathon. The guitar patterns are cleverly arranged and never sound the same on each listen as Staffelbach shifts his start and finish points. Everything about this track is big, bold and almost cinematic in scale.

“Into The Black” rides along on a wild wave of galloping drums that feel like the hounds of hell are chasing the band and when guitar and keyboard enter with magnificent solo’s you’d be right in thinking that the intensity is ratcheted up a further few notches. Right at the end of the song Carsten sing a vocal line that kicks proverbial metal ass and if he reads this review all I can say is “Carsten, I salute you”.

“Return Of The Pharaoh” (pt’2) is the albums second instrumental and it’s a gorgeous combination of Brian May meets Michael Schenker, short but very sweet and very effective. Following next is “Keys To Avalon”, perhaps the only track on the album that sounds a bit workmanlike. The verses feel a little ordinary and don’t stand out from the rest of the arrangement. Saying that the instrumental breaks are full of bite and imagination and save the song from wandering into oblivion. “Stampede” on the other hand is aptly named as it is literally heads down and doesn't come up for air until the end. The solo is a series of superbly structured neo-classical progressions that dazzle and leave the listener breathless. It has everything you could want from this genre.

“Towards The Light” opens with swathes of moody keyboard before Staffelbach enters with some wonderfully melodic tapped arpeggios. He then continues to sweep pick his guitar into oblivion before bringing in some dark and tense guitar riffs. What then ensues is a neo-classical guitar extravaganza of the highest order. What a storming way to finish the album except the album still hasn’t quite finished...... Leave the CD playing and you will find the band have supplied a hidden track in the shape of, aptly given a lot of this review, an Yngwie Malmsteen cover. I’m not going to spoil things for prospective buyers by naming the track but what I can say is that rather than play Yngwie's solo’s note for note Staffelbach gives his own interpretation, and it’s a fine one at that.

“Angel Of Eden” took this reviewer by surprise by providing music that has been a little bit neglected recently. Lots of players and bands play classical licks in their music but it’s been a long time since something came along that really captured the spirit of albums like “Trilogy” or “Rising Force”. Angel Of Eden” have done just that and yet also added their own metal flavour to the mix. Overall it’s certainly an entertaining album, and one that will please a lot of metal heads out there.

Let us know your views on The End Of Never

Track Listing

The End Of Never
Dreamchaser
Angel Of Eden
Return Of The Pharaoh (Pt. I)
The Battle Of 1386
Into The Black
Return Of The Pharaoh (Pt. II)
Keys To Avalon
Stampede
Towards The Light

Line Up

Roger Staffelbach – Guitars
Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz – Vocals
Rami Ali – Drums
Mistheria – Keyboards