The opening narration about the meaning of "infinity," sounding like a voice-over tape complete with cheesy orchestration yanked from an outdated attraction at Disney's EPCOT Center, does not bode well for The Edge of Infinity. But this second album from Lunatica redeems itself less than two minutes later with a title track of bombastic proportions that mixes tribal aggression with symphonic flourishes. From there, this classy female-fronted Swiss metal band moves from engaging anthems ("Who Are You," written by a pair of Swedish pop producers), dramatic arrangements ("Sons of the Wind," complete with a rocking choir on background vocals), modern rockers ("Out!," whose piano-and-loops backdrop recalls Evanescence), passionate ballads ("Song For You," featuring former Asia vocalist John Payne in a duet with Lunatica lead vocalist Andrea Dätwyler) and nine-minute epics ("Emocean," including an additional version of the song with German vocalist Oliver Hartmann). Dätwyler's organic vocals – think a combination of Candice Night and Lana Lane, but with an accent – make Lunatica much more palatable than other female-fronted symphonic metal bands that go out of their way with over-the-top operatics. As a singer, Dätwyler is as credible as they come. But she's backed by five serious male musicians who play with finesse and muscle, never sounding claustrophobic or self-indulgent.
Track Listing:
1) Introduction
2) The Edge of Infinity
3) Sons of the Wind
4) Who You Are
5) Out!
6) Song For You
7) Together
8) The Power of Love
9) Words Unleashed
10) Emocean
11) Emocean (Featuring Oliver Hartmann)
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