EMPIRES OF EDEN is treating us to some new music on “Guardians Of Time”. This really is band leader Stu Marshall, who you might know from his involvement with NIGHT LEGION, SAINT LUCIFER and PAINDIVISION, but who will be better known for playing with DEATH DEALER and RONNY MUNROE. To be frank, this is a strange one to review. Why? Well, mostly because this is a solo album with just about more guests than the GUNS ‘N’ ROSES album “Chinese Democracy” harbours. Just have a look at the amount of singers on this one, it rivals what AVANTASIA and AYREON do from time to time. Not only that, not only the list of names is quite impressive, but also the names listed are mostly very well known. The question that now remains is whether Stu Marshall has been able to write good music to honour and emphasize the qualities of the hired helps.

And I can reveal that this certainly doesn’t disappoint. This is Epic Orchestral Heavy Metal with a lot of external influences that ensure that variety and diversity is rather high on the list of achievements when it comes to “Guardians Of Time”. I don’t know if the name EMPIRES OF EDEN is a bit too farfetched, but it does have a certain ring to it. As Mr. Stu Marshall plays most of the instruments himself, I am the first to admit that he does that at a very high level. He is a very accomplishes musician, a trait he does confirm when you listen to what is on offer on “Guardians Of Time”. Most impressive song on the album for me is “Mortal Rites”, which is a pure Speed Metal track. It just has the biggest impact on my psyche.

What surprises me most is that I never get the feeling that I am listening to a mish mash of artists and singers, but that this is by a rather well oiled band. I think that is the biggest compliment I can give Stu Marshall on his creation called EMPIRES OF EDEN. He has made it possible to ensure that the sound on “Guardians Of Time” is consistent throughout the album. Yes, of course you hear that there are so many different singers doing their thing, but the rest sounds quite homogamous. And the songs themselves are not treading on any new ground, but are doing what they need to do, make you enjoy the music. Nothing more, but more importantly , nothing less.