ANGELWINGS – The Edge Of Innocence (2017)
In one of our Advanced Releases sampler we presented the first single from ANGELWINGS, and now we have the band’s full length debut “The Edge Of Innocence”.
Originally formed in 2013 in Gibraltar, Angelwings got together to perform covers but a year and a half later they started writing their own material, and the result is this diverse, melodic and at the same time progressive album.
In the time in between the recording of “The Edge Of Innocence” some Angelwings singles have seen radio airplay internationally, and they’ve shared the stage with such different acts like Saxon, Kings Of Leon and Duran Duran.
So how does the album hold up? The production value is top notch. Musically, there are some very nice arrangements throughout which highlight the ongoing musical influence that the ‘new’ progressive female-fronted Sympho / Melodic Prog genre have had on Angelwings.
But they add they own spin, that being a clean sound and melody as main focus.
The highlights on this album include ‘Lillith’ which features some beautiful arrangements, Divi Cano’s lovely sweet vocals, and a beat that will get stuck in your head. ‘The Fallen’ is another remarkable tune, as it alternates between melodic vocals and a heavier sounding rhythm.
‘Memories’ is a softer track (not a ballad) showcasing Divi’s vocal capabilities more than anything else on the album and driven by some very heartfelt guitar work.
Then the elaborated ‘Legend & Myth’ is another good example of this as it contains some very good vocal arrangements and harmonies.
Title track ‘The Edge of Innocence’ is a more cinematic track. Starts with a a dark atmosphere ideal for a Tim Burton movie. Then it grows with strong keyboards and powerful guitars that lead the song towards a more epic point.
‘Forbidden Love’ is another good, uptempo song, where the main melody perfectly glue with the smooth vocals and the chorus is nice, quite commercial.
With ‘Embracing Fantasy’ Angelwings gives us classic sympho metal very well acclimated with a superb keyboard work and a whipping solo. However, as happens on the entire album, everything it’s very melodic.
In their debut “The Edge Of Innocence” Angelwings has achieved something that I liked a lot: while the ‘new wave’ of female-fronted sympho prog tend to turn things too much metallic with some vocal ‘growls’, this band has a knack for refined melodies.
Indeed, Divi Cano’s owns a strong set of pipes but she never exaggerates, keeping the focus on harmony instead of overwhelming operatics.
Yes, finally here’s a band that craft a nice blend of sympho progressive with melodic, moderated clean metal riffs and using the keyboards not only for creating pulse but adding an effective palette of sounds.
Highly Recommended
01 – Wonderland
02 – Game of Life
03 – Forbidden Love
04 – Memories
05 – Lilith
06 – The Fallen
07 – Nile Goddess
08 – The Edge of Innocence
09 – Embracing Fantasy
10 – The Legend & the Myth
Divi Cano – vocals
Paul P. Cano – guitar
Glenn Cano – keyboards
Darren Fa – bass
Mark Brooks – drums
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