I have a suspicion you will be impressed.

When I was asked to review the album of this Italian five-piece, called Eden, my first thought was "what a creative name". Literally Google spat out about fifty other bands from all around the world named 'Eden Something Something Something' but I don't want to wrong them. Italy seems to be one of these countries where AOR and Melodic Rock is still alive and these five guys with beautifully sounding names – Patrizio Izzo (vocals), Stefano Mastrangeli (guitars), Alessandro Iovannitti (drums, percussion), Paolo Castellani (keyboards), and Giordano Latini (bass) have found their inspiration in bands like Europe, Bon Jovi, Survivor, Journey and House Of Lords. In 2011 they formed Eden and thereby put another very promising AOR band on the market.

They now release their self-titled debut. This ten track record kicks off with 'Dreamin'', which already gives a very good impression of what the entire album is like; well-written, classical AOR with good lyrics, a BIG sound, very catchy melodies, magnificent guitars (yes, there ARE others apart from Richie Sambora and Tommy Denander being able to write awesome solos) and choruses that invite you to sing-along all topped off with superb production.

The songs don't differ much but each of them has a certain special thing about it. 'Fear Has Gone', 'I Know You Know', 'Enemy' and 'Into The Night' are probably the songs that give the best impression of their skills. The latter is introduced by a minute or so long intermission named 'The Call' and then starts with a bombastic sound, drums and guitars that other masters of AOR couldn't have written much better. The lyrics create, together with the fantastic instrumentation, a passion-loaded, powerful and longing atmosphere that kind of soaks the listener into the story; in short, my personal favourite.

The overall album from the song-writing and the skills of each of the musicians to the mix/production really knocked me over. Only the – in parts – too prominent voice of Izzo I personally can't really make my mind up on since it's VERY nasally but not necessarily bad in any way (the opposite!). It's something that will be purely a matter of taste and does surely give Eden less of an exchangeable sound in the world of AOR bands. I suppose with a little more reverb and a little less loudness in the mix, there wouldn't have been any reason to mention this.

However, I can't really offer any bad word about the debut of this Italian group and would surely recommend you to give it a listen. If you actually manage to FIND the band (I give you a hint: www.facebook.com/edenrockaor) I have a suspicion you will be impressed.

Julia Braun