Duos are a good thing in life. Duos in sex (more are also welcome), duos in one-on-one basketball games, duos touring in bikes etc etc etc. In the little I know about Austria's grand artists Edenbridge, it is obvious that the Sabine/Lanvall duo is the 'ace' in Edenbridge. Really 'far' from the average Nightwish 'clones', nearly 'blended' with their peculiar 'atmospheric' style. The Grand Design is now added in a set of - any way, like 'em or not - qualitative releases, starting off with...
... 2000's Sunrise In Eden. Having just inked deal with Massacre Records (the deal carries on, huh), this debut album revealed part of the (basically) quartet's magica. Carrying on with notable creations, Edenbridge did build a wide clan of fans, being rather 'vivid' onstage, too. Thus, this year's fifth studio release finds Edenbridge in a creative orgasm, giving The Grand Design an explicit interest in the ranks of the 'ethereal' Metal scene. The For Your Eyes Only single - released in April 2006 - was a proper 'teaser' unveiling the intentions of a low-profile high-skilled act.
Recorded at Thin Ice Studio (England) by Karl Groom, Studio Heaven (Netherlands) by Robby Valentine and Lanvall, The Track Shack (Germany) by Dennis Ward and Wild One Studio by Jakob Grabmayr, Farpoint Studio (Austria) by Frank Pitters, mixed by Karl Groom and produced by Lanvall (phew...), the take-off of Terra Nova prepares the listener for a special 'dreaming' journey and the landing of The Grand Design - or Empire Of The Sun, depending on the CD issue you purchase - wraps up the joyful voyage. Sabine's voice is breathtaking, 'nailed' to passion and unchained from any possible typicality. 'Expression' is the key point in the rest of the musicians' performance, too. The speed is 'reduced'; the songs are now 'walking' in more 'epic' tempos with various renaissance/folk/medieval/celtic interludes. Edenbridge have summed up all their influences, techniques and are keen on expressing a pallet of sentimental colors, living no room for average singing/playing. It is not easy enough to separate one track from the other, since - even if this is not (I suppose) a concept album - the sequence is so smooth and normal that seems essential for this CD.
It would be rather unwise to describe Edenbridge as another female-fronted band. The do not deserve so. The Grand Design may as well be the band's best effort to date. If you are familiar with Edenbridge's music, do not miss the chance owning this album. As for the remaining fans of 'female vocals' bands: this is a separate situation, I repeat. Give it a try and you'll have a strong argument for everyone making fun of your - so far - taste.