When I met lead singer and songwriter Warren Halvarson of EDGE II EDGE a few years back in the suburbs of Chicago, he was then playing with a friends local band whilst also fronting the very popular BLACK SABBATH, DIO and RAINBOW tribute band HEAVEN AND HELL. (Warren even let me sing a song with him on stage once, a decision I'm sure he regrets to this day). So, with the independent release of their debut fourteen song CD "We the People" on November 11, 2022, EDGE II EDGE unites five friends all from local and established Chicago area bands (ROCK NATION, DAMIEN THORNE, LIGHTS OUT CHICAGO, CRYSTAL AXE, STEELE) to bring a melodic, power metal swagger delivering catchy riffs, pulsating keyboards and velvety, heartfelt vocals. Ok, let's give this CD a whirl and see if they sound better without me.
*Keyboard player Brian Buxbaum passed away in 2021*

The album opens with "Marching to War" with a somber marching melody of assaulting guitar riffs transitioning to smooth and silky vocals of Halvarson backed by robust keyboards painting the dark side of the tragedies and casualties of war. "An evil force of many men, armed with twisted minds, the people have all been driven out, and forced to leave their homes, we can't accept this anymore, we're marching on to war" The second track "Wicked World" comes back to another darkened picture of a tormented soul portrayed by emotional vocals and soulful backing tempo. If this undertone keeps up I'm going back to bed with a bottle of Jack and pulling the covers over my head. The title track "We the People" bust through the door with a barrage of blistering guitars paired nicely with rhythmic keyboard presence that adamantly presents an ardent political statement of greed and corruption in the quest to take our freedom away. "The force of freedom will not be denied, all we have is nothing left to lose, away they've taken our right to choose" A nice change of pace with "Hammer of the Gods" brings a mysterious tempo of guitars, keys and consuming backing support of drums and bass lines. "Angel of Death" threw me for a loop, I'm thinking smash-mouth metal with that title, but we have a grooving, psychedelic rhythm with  harmonious vocals and edgy riffs. Show casing their versatility on "After the Fall" with a melodic, ballad of smooth guitar paired with unwavering sedative keyboards captivated by passionate vocals that narrates the intense effects on our country from the pandemic. The album ends on the igniting and tranquilizing episodic  "The Suffering" with again, darkened, emotional lyrics of "endless promises" enlivened by cathartic tempo bolstered by an edgy guitar riff and anguished, raw vocals.

One thing's for sure, they are not afraid to attack the turmoil in today's politically corrupt environment, or relevant and provocative topics with earnest and sincere lyrics. Overall, this is a very well-done debut album, EDGE II EDGE provides a lot of bite with a well-balanced array of catchy riffs, toasty guitar work and tight, seductive vocals. I look forward to the band continuing onward and expanding their horizons.
Check out my interview with EDGE II EDGE posted on our website