Maximum Metal Rating Legend

I remember a half dozen years back when Edguy was one of the newer jewels of the Euro-power metal crown. Their rapid twin guitars, epic chorus harmonies, speedy drums, and the talented vocals of Tobias Sammet helped to put AFM Records on the map and into the company of Helloween, Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian and other stylist contemporaries like Stratovarius. Since then, they've moved to Nuclear Blast, become rock veterans, and morphed away from the youthful blasts of speed to a radio-friendly, hook-heavy style that fully bloomed on the fantastic 2006 release 'Rocket Ride'.

On the new 'Tinnitus Sanctus', the talent is there and the choruses are as big as ever, but I found the overall listen to be AOR adequate. "The Pride of Creation" and "Speedhoven" show a spark of craft and "Thorn Without A Rose" is quality, but the rest come across with a lackadaisical merit. Edguy still sounds like an energetic band, but as a listening experience Tobias and his merry crew have slid further into tepid commercial hard rock. Tinnitus plays okay in the car on a sunny day, but it's coasting on cruise control here. Edguy never takes their craft too seriously, but it says something about my state of interest when I start finding the bonus tracks the most memorable.