- Originality
- Vocals
- Overal Impact
- Production
- Sound
ARTIST: Edguy
TITLE: Age of the Joker
YEAR: 2011
LABEL: Nuclear Blast
Author: Sam Yakou
German power-metallers Edguy return with Age of the Joker. A strident and epic foray into the harder rock sound of recent Edguy releases; Age of the Joker is replete with driving, crunchy riffs and bombastic, keyboard saturated choruses.
Frontman Tobias Sammett’s voice is as soaring and melodic as ever. The guitar interplay of Jens Ludwig and Dirk Sauer is catchy and easy to digest despite the intricacy of some of the material.
Fans of old-school Edguy who’ve longed for a return to the heavier days of yesteryear need to keep the flame burning a little longer. Age of the Joker indulges in Edguy’s increasing rock leanings. Opener Robin Hood is a lighter-than-usual epic from the band. Pandora’s Box comes with a country-tinged bridge and pop-metal chorus. The intros to Breathe and Two Out of Seven are absolutely drenched in synths. Fire On the Downline begins as a ballad before falling into a mid-tempo groove with some very tasteful guitar phrasing. Penultimate centerpiece Behind the Gates to Midnight World is an enjoyable slice of the band’s classic sound that’s just slightly too long.
Age of the Joker is a good album, but it’s not particularly memorable. At the end of the day it’s another Edguy album. That’s not a bad thing. However, fans of power-metal may not walk away completely satisfied.
Bottom line: If you’re a fan of power metal that’s more catchy and bombastic than it is metal then Age of the Joker may be what you’re looking for.
