EDENS CURSE have re-recorded their 2007 debut album in full. This re-release also includes a bonus live in Glasgow (official bootleg) DVD. The two main differences compared to the original is a different singer and a more dynamic production. Original singer Michael Eden was replaced in 2013 by Serbian Nikola Mijic. Although based in Glasgow, Scotland, the band are multi-national. Paul Logue is the main songwriter and originated the band from Glasgow. Michael Eden left under a cloud and there was a bit of controversy at the time. Although Michael sounds good on the debut, Nikola improves most of these tracks overall. This may be down to the band being more experienced plus the enhanced re-recording production.

On to the music. The band are a Melodic Metal band with an abundance of hooks on this album. I like the fact there is a subtle use of keyboards that enhance the songs. The album is very much guitar driven. I prefer this to the trend for up-front keyboards and the over-orchestration that goes with some Melodic Metal bands. The stand-out aspect for me are the guitars of Thorsten Koehne. All his work on the album is top-notch and really fluid in style.

Intro "Book Of Life" is a spoken word piece about the book of judgement with footsteps and deep voices. Not sure whether that's needed but the first track "Judgement Day" is a straight-ahead rocker in the style of EUROPE; decent but not particularly memorable. However, Thorsten Koehne, hasn't really entered the room yet. There is a decent solo but there is more to come. Where the album really kicks in for me is on "The Voice Inside". It's a keyboard intro power ballad and allows a bit of room to show off the guitars and vocals. It's a change of pace and starts a run of good tracks including "Fly Away". This has a heavier riff and fluid guitar breaks in the verses. There is a strong chorus and reminds me of HELLOWEEN in their more commercial period. I like the ULI JON ROTH style guitar breaks on this one.

Other highlights include "Eden's Curse" the title track. This is a proper sing-along number with orchestrated vocals. "Heaven Touch Me" has superb guitar work. It's really shredding and bluesy feel on the lead guitar with nice bass lines. "The Bruce (Intro)" is a slightly cheesy spoken word opening to "Fallen King" which has a pedestrian rhythm and this song does plod along a little. I think sometime the historical themed songs can be a bit overdone. I almost expected Mel Gibson to make a cameo. Final track "We All Die Young" is a good finish. Nice start with gentle bass line and twinkling piano keyboards. It has a modern era LYNYRD SKYNYRD feel with the piano and guitars. This is a quality Rock track. The guitar solo wheels away nicely in a more bluesy style befitting the song.

This is a good album and well worth the revisit. EDENS CURSE are one of the leaders in the Melodic Metal scene. There are so many of these bands plus the more Symphonic Metal outfits, that I fear that this genre is a bit congested. I enjoyed the album but my favorite song was the last track "We All Die Young". This was the least Melodic Metal track and maybe more of this style could be worth considering.