Edguy - Space Police (Defenders of the Crown)

(CD Album Review)

***1/2
Sci-fi Metallers add another to their cannon!

It's been over twenty years since Edguy released their debut album 'Savage Poetry' with a massive catalogue under their belts with this new album they simply give their fans a dose of exactly what they want from the band. Catchy riffs, big choruses and even bigger hooks to make a even bigger brilliant sound. For those new to Edguy they play Metal / Rock in a big way, Melodic 80's style reminiscent of Sammy Hagar era Van Halen or 'Somewhere in Time' era Iron Maiden and a bit of Helloween. The best way to think of them is imagine the 80's animated movie 'Heavy Metal' Edguy could have provided the soundtrack themselves. The other way is to did out an old '2000AD' comic stick Edguy on and start reading!

The Science Fiction lyrics are a refreshing change and the songs are extremely infectious and likeable. The tile track is great with it's leading synth riffs and it's catchy as hell chorus that will ring in your head ages after hearing it (whether you want it to or not!) If the opening riff of single 'Love Tyger' doesn't make you want to play air guitar nothing will and it's chorus can't fail to put you in a good mood, the slightly corny (well..not slightly, bloody corny!) yet dramatic 'Rock me Amadeus' will go down either way but I think it actually work really well live. 'The realms of Baba Yaga' on the other hand is brilliant, a classic Heavy Metal song.

Edguy walk the fine line between the brilliant and the ridiculous. However their tongue is in their cheek and they pull things off and sticking to their guns has evidently worked for them. You either love them or hate them but their massive fanbase is having to good a time to care. 'Space Police' probably in all fairness won't win the band many new fans but their existing fans will lap it up and it will sit effortlessly among their collection. I personally don't really know what to make of it, so I will go back to watching Doctor Who and reading my '2000AD' magazines.