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EMPIRES OF EDEN
Architect Of Hope
2015 Melodic Rock Records

EMPIRES OF EDEN, led by Sydney, Australia’s mastermind guitarist and composer Stu Hammer Marshall (DEATHDEALER/DUNGEON), is a melodic power metal band that has unleashed their fourth album, Architect Of Hope. EOE is an alliance of metal’s best of the best. This album is the follow-up to 2012’s masterpiece Channeling The Infinite, which featured some of metal’s finest vocalists including Rob Rock, Udo Dirkschneider, Sean Peck, Carlos Zema and Mike Dimeo.

If you are a metal fan who loves collaborations, then Architect Of Hope should appeal to you. Stu Hammer Marshall is an amazing guitarist and songwriter. Drummer Jasix puts the hammer down on this album; his drumming is precision perfection. There are also some guest guitar appearances as well.

Track one is “Vanish In The Light”, featuring Rick Altzi's glorious rasp. I am a fan of his voice, particularly his work with AT VANCE and MASTERPLAN. This song builds on riffs and backing vocals, and there are some keyboards for backing atmosphere, but Rick is the hero here. His opening howl is awesome, and this is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever heard him sing. What an incredible start to the album!

The title track follows, featuring Ralf Scheepers on lead vocals. “Architect Of Hope” is easily one of the best songs Scheepers has ever performed anywhere, and his voice is stretched into the stratosphere on this track. If you are a PRIMAL FEAR fan (and you should be), you need to hear this song.

Track three is “Push The Limits”, and features a killer performance by vocalist Tony Webster of Cleveland, Ohio-based band ARCHETYPE. The song also features a solo by guitarist Shane French (CIRCLE II CIRCLE/JON OLIVA'S PAIN).

“Taken” is the fourth track and features vocalist George Call (ASKA). This is a blazing, thrashing track that Call puts his amazing vocal stamp all over, starting right with the intro.

“Weaponize” features Carlos Zema (OUTLAND/IMMORTAL GUARDIAN) on vocals and is one of the many standout tracks on the album. Zema’s lead vocal soars. It also features a fantastic solo section in which Marshall trades solos with Metal Mike Chlasciak (HALFORD).

“Six Feet Under” has lead vocals by Jeff Martin (RACER X). This is a fantastic speed metal anthem. I miss Jeff’s voice and hearing him on anything is welcome.

"Killing As One", featuring Mike Cotoia (FATE BREAKS DAWN) on vocals, is another speed metal masterpiece. This is an aggressive power metal track and one of my favorite songs on the album. Marshall’s powerful riffs, Jasix’s double bass drumming and Cotoia’s high-pitched vocals make this song an instant classic.

Raphael Dantas (PERCEPTION) contributes both clean and death vocals to “Silent Hill”, another raging power metal classic.

The final track, “Holy Pharoah”, features lead vocals by the great Mike DiMeo (RIOT). I love the melancholy of this song; it is a perfect ending to the album.

Architect Of Hope has nine songs total, clocking in at around 46 minutes. The album artwork of a destroyed Magic Kingdom is incredible. EMPIRES OF EDEN gives metal fans the chance to hear their heroes in a different light, as well as some lesser-known talents that you might not be familiar with. This album is worth seeking out!

4.5 Out Of 5.0

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