EDENBRIDGE (feat Erik Mårtensson) – Shangri-La [Limited Box-Set] (2022)

September 16, 2022, will see Austrian symphonic metal force EDENBRIDGE release their eleventh studio album, ”Shangri-La”, on various configurations – this Limited Box-Set includes a bonus disc.
“Shangri-La” takes the listener on a musical ride into the realms of finest symphonic / melodic metal. Their forthcoming album not only unleashes a sophisticated range of compositions along with a bombastic sound atmosphere EDENBRIDGE are known and loved for, but the band created their most diverse record to date.
Despite constantly high quality standards and as the new offering proves, EDENBRIDGE continually expands their musical expression from album to album without abandoning their trademarks.
This time, the band has created a fine balance between emotionally magical moments, an ever-present mystical atmosphere and heavy, fast-paced riffage.

The album opens with “At First Light”. It has a rambunctious, adventurous style to it. Like an Indiana Jones epic racing at full speed. Your heart churns with excitement, as the drums, orchestration, bass and guitars roar. Sabine’s voice soars, “At first light, reunite!”. One of the best tracks on the album.
“The Call of Eden” opens with a familiar Edenbridge grinding guitar sound, but the various instruments added really helps to build a more remarkable and fulfilling sound. The music is supported by Sabine’s wonderful voice; one of the best in female metal symphonic rock.
Now the band is using more varied instruments and much more orchestration, providing more layers. I love the new sound.

“Hall of Shame”, is full of running rhythm and pounding drums, lead electric guitar and bass power. This is another well-developed song, which really adds a powerful drum performance as well as kick-ass guitar soloing. Variation is the consistent feeling of this new sound. The time sequences and changes are wonderful.
“Savage Land” is easily one of the best songs on the album. Some of the lyrics in this ballad are about the concepts and themes of the book, ‘Lost Horizon’. Then… out of nowhere flute… almost as good as Jethro Tull. Just amazing. Thank you for adding this to your sound.

“Freedom Is a Roof Made of Stars” turn to a more aggressive sonic palette, albeit eventually opens up into a beautiful acoustic finale that brings on again those stunning musical-like vibes. “Arcadia (The Great Escape)” follows instead the reverse path, starting soft and mellow and then slowly building up to a dramatic chorus where a gospel-like choir surfaces once more. Both songs feature big shifts in dynamics which are well captured by Karl Groom’s (Threshold) clear and balanced production.

‘Shangri-La’ ends with the 16+ minute epic, “The Bonding (Part 2),” which you might be tempted to assume is the one place on the album the band let their vision run away from their execution, but not so. This is a well-put together piece that possesses and emotional ebb and flow that enhances the song to great effect and the result is it never gets boring.
This is a massive, 16-minute mammoth divided in five parts that alternate between full-orchestra bombast and quieter acoustic moments. This song – which also features some excellent guest vocals by Erik Mårtensson (W.E.T.; Eclipse) – is the most ambitious piece of music on the whole record and Edenbridge pulled it off.

”Shangri-La” is a great comeback for the Austrian band, showcasing a compendium of all the qualities that have made Edenbridge one of the strongest acts in the symphonic / melodic metal scene.
Edenbridge have once again dropped a monumental full-length, with some of the best music they have ever released in a career that spans over two decades. If you are into sympho & melodic metal, or even into the more hard-rock adjacent forms of prog (think Lana Lane / Erik Norlander), make sure you don’t miss out on this one.
Highly recommended

CD 1
01 – At First Light
02 – The Call of Eden
03 – Hall of Shame
04 – Savage Land
05 – Somewhere Else But Here
06 – Freedom Is a Roof Made of Stars
07 – Arcadia (The Great Escape)
08 – The Road to Shangri-La
09 – The Bonding (Part 2) – I. Overture
10 – The Bonding (Part 2) – II: Alpha and Omega
11 – The Bonding (Part 2) – III. The Eleventh Hour
12 – The Bonding (Part 2) – IV. Round and Round
13 – The Bonding (Part 2) – V. The Timeless Now – Finale

CD 2
01 – At First Light (Instrumental)
02 – The Call of Eden (Instrumental)
03 – Hall of Shame (Instrumental)
04 – Savage Land (Instrumental)
05 – Somewhere Else But Here (Instrumental)
06 – Freedom Is a Roof Made of Stars (Instrumental)
07 – Arcadia (The Great Escape) (Instrumental)
08 – The Road to Shangri-La (Instrumental)
09 – The Bonding (Part 2) – I. Overture (Instrumental)
10 – The Bonding (Part 2) – II: Alpha and Omega (Instrumental)
11 – The Bonding (Part 2) – III. The Eleventh Hour (Instrumental)
12 – The Bonding (Part 2) – IV. Round and Round (Instrumental)
13 – The Bonding (Part 2) – V. The Timeless Now – Finale (Instrumental)

Sabine Edelsbacher – Vocals
Dominik Sebastian – Guitars
Johannes Jungreithmeier – Drums
Steven Hall – Bass
Erik Mårtensson (W.E.T.; Eclipse) – Guest Vocals
Lanvall – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Piano, Mandolin, Pipa, Flute, Percussion, Hammered dulcimer

Pre order:
shop.afm-records.de/new/2961/edenbridge-shangri-la-ltd.-boxset