Edenbridge – “Shangri – La”

At one time Edenbridge was my favorite band. Back during the years of The Bonding album. No one could play as epic a music in this new century. Then, they added an orchestra, taking it over the top to the point that no one could match their sound.

However, time marches on, and so does the creative work of others in the music business. I liked their last couple of albums, but they were not as good as The Bonding.

Now, they have returned with an idea that I suggested and I thought they forgot or discarded. The idea of bringing James Hinton’s wonderful book, Lost Horizon to life, with epic symphonic metal music, supported by an orchestra. Their new album, Shangri – La will be release August 26, 2022, on AFM Records.

Yes, it was a daunting task, but Hinton’s book is such a wonderful story, of living life to its fullest, escaping reality to a far-off land, that no one has seen before, and living by a principle of peaceful coexistence, with no war, or weaponry. I love Hinton’s dream so much that I have many copies of the text as well as the original movie, thankfully preserved on DVD. Yes, that original movie from 1937, was not perfect, but it captured the essence of what I thought Hinton was trying to convey in the book. Then, came the 1973, musical version. That one left a bitter taste, which I hoped Edenbridge would erase with this new album. A band ready to play music to this epic novel.

When Edenbridge posted, that they were going to write a new album with the title, Shangri-La, I was so excited and anticipated its arrival. I definitely wanted to be one of the first to review it.

Edenbridge, as a band, consists of the beautiful voice of Sabine Edelsbacher, on lead vocals; Lanvall, on lead and rhythm guitars, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars, nylon string guitar, piano, keyboards, orchestration, electric sitar, bouzouki, swarmandal, and ukulele; Johannes Jungreithmeier, on drums; Steve Hall, on bass; and Dominik Sebastian, on lead guitar.

“The cover art was created by United Arab Emirates artist, Muhammad K. Nazia, and features a pictorial representation of “Shangri-La” embodied as a synonym for paradise”. The band writes, “The term was first mentioned in the novel Lost Horizon by James Hilton. It is described there as a mystical place where people live in peace and harmony. However, the story itself is based on the ancient Far Eastern legend of “Shambala” depicted in long-preserved Buddhist scriptures. The legend depicts a paradise that is to become accessible again only when humankind is ready for it and only when a few have the spiritual maturity to understand and preserve the teachings” Sabine goes on to state, “For me, ‘Shangri-La’ is a wellspring of wisdom, a deeply secluded spiritual center and a realm of retreat that casts a magical allure over we humans. And there is a reason why it is so meaningfully said: ‘You do not enter paradise with your feet, but with your heart’.”

The album opens with “At First Light”. It has a rambunctious, adventurous style to it, just like I had hoped the album opener might! Full of adventure.  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. Full of choirs, symphonic orchestration and pounding drums. A blast to play, I’m sure; and listen to; definitely. The music sounds so much better than their music from the last couple of albums, which just pounded out heavy electric guitars and drums. There is more orchestration and keyboards to add variety to the sound. Thank you for that. Sabine sings, “I am here, deep down in my heart!” Well alright. Off to a great start!

“The Call of Eden”, is the third single recently released to help promote the album. It 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. She sings, “In the haze of ecstasy. The tension rises deep in me. Willing to believe you all. Promise me to catch me, when I come to fall. So, relieve your feelings. I am flying. I am always trying. And all worlds allying. The call of Eden”. Her voice has always lifted this band’s sound beyond the sometimes-monotonous sounds of the past. But now the band has caught up and is using more varied instruments and much more orchestration, providing more layers of sound. 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. They sound so much better. Variation is the consistent feeling of this new sound. The time sequences and changes are wonderful.

“Savage Land”, opens with keyboards and orchestration, oh thank Heaven. A change from everything starting with roaring metal guitars and drums. This song shows the kind of musical development I remember, on my favorite work of Lanval and Sabine’s; the Voiciano project. Sabine sings, “Down on hallowed ground. It rolls at dawn. Is where we stand”. She continues, “Here we cry. You took it out of my hand. Whatever disposed you, claiming my spiritual land?” Easily one of the best songs on the album. Finally, I hear some of the lyrics in this ballad discussing 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. Sabine sings loudly, “My Holy Land”.

The familiar pounding of drums and gearing electric guitar returns from Edenbridge’s past. But, even “Somewhere Else but Here”; the album’s first single, has a different and varied instrumental collection to it. The new Edenbridge sound is so much better. The electric guitar soloing stands out, instead of being part of a grinding machine works. Excellent. Sabine sings some of her best lyrics, “Whenever you dream of me. Leavened by the lore. The beauty looking for. Imagine how you can be. When miracles appear. You’re somewhere else but here. My way into the unknown. The undiscovered land. Passing on what I’ve been shown. Perception in my hand”.

“Freedom is a Roof Made of Stars”. What a fantastic song title, ‘eh? They have always been great at picking song titles. This one starts out with pumping drums and electric metal guitars, but without the usual flush of metal. Distinguishable and enhanced with orchestration and keyboards. Sabine is at her best here. She sings, “Within the corridors of power. Within a life on the road. Right until the eleventh hour. Searching for the last straw”. Metal, yes, but buttressed with orchestration and varied instruments. Then, they vary the sound again. Quieter, more serene. Sabine sings, “Who is not ready to leave the shoreline. Who is not willing to heal the scars. Cannot find a new land, and realign. Because freedom is a roof made of stars”. Heavy orchestration pushing the sound to epic heights. Yes, another one of the best tracks on the album. Great electric guitar soloing follows.

“Arcadia, (The Great Escape)”, opens with beautiful acoustic guitar and soft piano. Like something out of Voiciano. I really like this album. It is like going back to the power of the Bonding, mixed well with Voiciano. Sabine sings, always so profoundly, “Can we start again. Can we raise an era? Who are we who reign? Blinded by fear. Far into the silence. The resignation stains. Abandoning the violence. The exit from the maze”. More lyrics which bring in the concept of Lost Horizon. I sense a nod to the journey that Conway, the lead character in Lost Horizon, leads, first away from, and then back to Shangri-La.

“The Road to Shangri-La”, The album’s second single, is full of powerful drums, electric guitar, all culminating in a regal guitar solo. Another of the best songs on the album and the one which covers more of the Lost Horizon story than any other on the album.

Finally, we get to “The Bonding, (Part 2)”. I have been wanting to hear it since they announced it earlier in the year. It was worth the wait. It is almost as epic as Part 1. Erik Martensson, returns as the consciousness challenging Sabine’s wonder.  Sabine says about the song, “Erik was already a part of the first “The Bonding”, (2013). But what he has done vocally this time around is unbelievable to me. Lyrically, Erik plays the role of the continually questioning and struggling intellect within, and I embody the voice of the bigger picture. Our dialogue culminates in a breathtaking finale that even exceeded all of our expectations. I get goosebumps when I hear the song now and that doesn’t happen so easily.”

Yes indeed. But first they spend almost two minutes at the beginning of the song with electric guitar soloing and repeating some of the other themes on the album. (I would have cut this part). But then, the fun begins; as it usually does, with beautiful piano, and Sabine’s voice. She sings, “I am the one and all. I am the sight unseen. And everything between. As I was always there. As I will never leave. The main you hold dear. The morning and the eve”. Yes indeed. Like a return to “Here, here you stand!”, from the first “Bonding” song. The glorious lyrics unfold. And just like the last one, Erik challenges everything Sabine says. The lyrics are fantastic, but it is hard to match the surprise I felt when I first heard those magical words on The Bonding album, when it was released. Superb guitar soloing, rising to the stars. Drumming that will rock your world. And the sound effects supporting all of it are immense, dramatic and powerful.

Halfway through the song, a break. Sounds of a soft choir with orchestration, along with soft acoustic guitar with an ‘unfolding of light’ sound. Sounds similar to when the High Lama consults with Conway for the last time, before his death, in the 1937 movie of Lost Horizon. Then they dazzle with acoustic guitar. Then, Sabine provides the best lyrics of this version, “Do you want to drown in all your pain. Do want to take my name in vain. Why do you believe the sky would fall. Within your narrow bounds. Can you hear my call?” (If you ever get the chance, please watch the High Lama meeting Conway scene, from the Lost Horizon – 1937 movie. Listen to the words in the movie, or read them from the book). Edenbridge does not recreate the scene directly, but I can see a similarity between Sabine playing the High Lama, and Erik seems like the unbelieving Conway. It is almost magic. Only a reference to the book would have made it magic.

Yes, I love the new sound of the band. Their sound seems to have matured beyond the simple grinding metal guitars and drums sound of old. There are more symphonic elements to their music and the additional instruments learned and utilized is a blessing to the listener’s ears. A wonderful return to the music of The Bonding, mixed well with Voiciano. I hope this is the new direction. We will see with the follow up. My only wish is that they had incorporated more of the events from the book, Lost Horizon, or the movie. I think it is a missed opportunity. But I do understand their bigger picture imaging of “Shambala”. Please get this album. It is great.

Also pick up the book Lost Horizon, or the 1937 movie, if you can find it. It is one of my favorite books and movies of all time, and I still hope some director will seize on the importance of this great work; like Peter Jackson or George Miller, and re-make it with today’s technology. I hope other bands will take up the idea and use the book’s contents to write a symphonic metal version of this wonderful story. It is indeed epic, and a perfect story for a metal – symphonic adaptation!

Track List

1. AT FIRST LIGHT (8.03)
2. THE CALL OF EDEN (3.49)
3. HALL OF SHAME (4.59)
4. SAVAGE LAND (4.32)
5. SOMEWHERE ELSE BUT HERE (4.26) – first single
6. FREEDOM IS A ROOF MADE OF STARS (5.51)
7. ARCADIA (THE GREAT ESCAPE) (5.11)
8. THE ROAD TO SHANGRI-LA (4.56)
9. THE BONDING (PART 2) (16.08)
10. Overture
11. Alpha And Omega
12. The Eleventh Hour
13. Round And Round
14. The Timeless Now-Finale

https://www.youtube.com/afmrecords

https://www.facebook.com/afmrecords

https://www.instagram.com/afm.records

Tweets by AFM_Records

https://www.afm-records.de

https://shop.afm-records.de

https://www.edenbridge.org/de/