"Sometimes, I get the feeling that people are under the impression that I do not like power metal per se. That's a grave misunderstanding. I only dislike power metal which is too cheesy and too generic.
I actually love power metal which emphasizes the METAL and which is not too cheesy. A bit of cheese is okay - it's part of the genre - but when it gets too much, then it stops appealing to me.
Well, the Canadian act Edge of Attack manage to find that fine balance between the metal and the cheese, thankfully tilting more towards the metal side, but retaining the amount of cheese that makes power metal charming. Thus, their debut album is characterized by the big and catchy choruses and the epicness that define the power metal genre, and there are also a couple of neoclassicisms every now and then. So, power metal fans should absolutely adore this album.
However, the typical power metal features are accompanied by aggressive and crunchy guitar riffs, many of which have a thrashy feel to them. In addition, Edge of Attack also draw on traditional metal both in terms of riffage and chord progressions, and there are also several instances of twin lead guitars. So, yes, there is definitely emphasis on the metal on this album.
Roxanne Gordey takes care of the vocal duties, but her singing style has a more rock quality than many other female vocalists in power metal bands, and I really appreciate this. Her voice has a sense of clarity and, although she does not really do any vocal acrobatics, her singing really fits the music perfectly. The rhythm section is rock solid, and Jurekk Whipple's lead guitars are no less than virtuosic.
Edge of Attack's eponymous debut definitely belongs to the category of power metal albums that I really enjoy. It's got the metal riffage and crunch, at times even venturing into melodeath territory. At the same time, it features the big and catchy choruses and the energy that define the power metal genre. Metalheads who prefer their power metal aggressive and crushing and at the same time appreciate the melody and larger-than-life nature of power metal are likely to really enjoy this album.
(review originally posted at metalmusicarchives.com)"
