Band's List Melodic Power Edguy Tinnitus Sanctus

For some time now, Edguy have been slowly mixing in some 80’s L.A. sleaze/glam rock into their German power metal formula. Their 2009 (U.S.A. release) “Tinnitus Sanctus” CD appears to be a most successful culmination of that effort.

To be sure, there are many cuts that Edguy have provided that still retain their classic sound of metallic choruses and melodic guitar solos, including “Nine Lives” and “Wake Up Dreaming Black.”. The best song on the album, “The Pride Of Creation” has the strongest power structure with a great hook and some nice fills throughout the third chorus crescendo. “Aren’t You A Little Pervert, Too?!” is that fun and folksy song. It strums side by side with lead songwriter Tobias Sammet’s patented humorous, but nonetheless intelligent, lyrical flare. And of course, “Speedhoven” is the album’s epic piece even though it should be remarked how singular and unorthodox the song structure is with its pounding three verse introduction, organ line, interweaving guitar duet, and the epiphany invoking soft interlude after the second movement..

There are a number of other tracks; however, that purposely evoke a different plume of sound; that dirty, rocking, Sunset Strip kind of smoke. That influence can be found during the verses of both “Dragonfly” and “9-2-9”. The choruses; however, still remain Teutonic. Of that rock verse/ metal chorus format, “Dead Or Rock” is probably the best example of them all, and while not technically a ballad, “Thorn Without a Rose” is nonetheless the soft song - an overt shout out of sorts to those old hair metal power ballads made famous from that bygone era.

Edguy, of course, is a very current band, and amazingly by looking back, they have managed to move forward with a very fresh album. What makes this all really work, to no surprise, is the star quality that Tobias Sammet provides. In terms of what it means to be a great front man – he is now what was then. “Tinnitus Sanctus” may very well be the result of a very simple thought experiment. Regardless, this is a very well written, well produced, and creatively smart album. Whether this work was truly made to rock for all time it will never be known, but one thing is clear, Edguy’s “Tinnitus Sanctus” is one of the very best metal albums to come out this year.