WINTER'S EDGE began back in 2009 when guitarist Jeremy Lawler decided to form a solo project featuring musicians from around the world. A few years later, on September the 29th 2014, "The Ferryman's Eyes" album was released. From this success a touring band was put together joining THUNDER AND LIGHTNING (Berlin) on their UK tour in March 2015. Following the tour, the second album was released on 25th of May 2015 "The Deceivers" EP. On September 2017 Winter's Edge officially became a band, with news of working on two new albums to be released in 2018 along with they're first ever music video. In August, 2018, the band will release their newest album that I have here for an advanced review, titled "The Guardians of our Time, Part 1." The album contains nine tracks.

"Open Worlds" is an opening mood setting instrumental. Guitars and keys provide a prophetic sound of what is to come, as it segues with a spacy low keyboard note into "Guardians of our Time." Tense bass guitar notes ring out slowly at first, and are then joined by guitar and vocals. Through a variety of riff and meter changes, they carve out an exciting combination of Symphonic, Progressive, and Power Metal elements here. A bridge passage after the second chorus allows us to take in the beauty of Charlotte's vocals. "Path of Desperation" opens with what sounds like a machine running, and someone questioning "what the hell is that noise, man?" A chunky guitar riff ensues, along with a harsh vocals duet with the clean. String passages provide a doleful sound, reflective of the song title. A weeping lead guitar passages sends the tale to completion.

"Momentarily" roars in with an up tempo riff and a menacing snarl. In the chorus, the song slows a bit and the vocals breathe with meaning. A speedy guitar solo leads to a bit of a heavy breakdown before the chorus returns. "Break It Up" has some really strong guitar work-variations and accents that vie with each other yet form a synergy as well. I definitely hear some IRON MAIDEN influence here in some of the chord progressions, which is never a bad thing. The chorus is where the emotional qualities in the song come out highest. The ending is beautiful...clean guitar notes that seem to mark the passage of something that was good and holy. "Dying Star" is a highlight on the album for me. It has a tender quality while also being tenacious when it needs to be. The riff flows wearily until the chorus, when harsh vocals provide that bite underneath. A skillful guitar solo caps off the song.

"Fatal Dreams" has a more jovial and playful sound, though the whispered vocals lurk in the shadows that you can't see. Some varied guitar passages work well with the vocals here especially. A thoughtful keyboard solo rounds on the song in a flurry of notes. "In the End" is the final track with vocals. It has a spirited sound from a chugging guitar riff and some more aggressiveness in the harsh vocals. It gathers steam as it moves to completion, with a sense of urgency. "Through the Ferryman's Eyes" is the short instrumental closer, and features spoken words, talking about paying for your actions with your life, if need be.

Not being familiar with a band before listening to a new album allows a reviewer to be completely objective and not compare it to a band's previous work. This was the case here with me and WINTER'S EDGE's forthcoming "The Guardians of our Time, Part 1." They have composed a great work here, smoothly blending Symphonic, Progressive, Power and Melodic Metal in a way that one single element doesn't take over. The result is a varied mix of sounds in nine diverse tracks that is lovely to listen to and leaves a memorable impression on the listener, connecting to your emotions very easily. The band is releasing the follow up to this first part later this year, and I am very much looking forward to listening to it!