The edge

Eternity X | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 1, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• ASIN: B00004UFMH
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,403,673 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD is THE masterpiece of progressive metal, September 5, 1999

By 

Steven J Detwiler (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edge (Audio CD)

Eternity X soars with this ambitious composition telling the story of existence on the edge of insanity. From start to finish, the listener is taken on a journey through the dark recesses of the mind of a madman, as retold through the voice and instruments of the band. But is it simply one man's story, or a statement voiced to society living on the edge of a similarly mad existence? It seems it is some of both. Such is how the music speaks to the listener as you are drawn into the beautiful melodies and musical arrangements.

This album is rich with masterful musicianship. Boasting plenty of intricate basslines, complex drumwork, and well-executed dual guitar-keyboard leads, it has technicality and complexity yielding a rich texture. All interplay with each other and weave around the powerful, plaintive melodies to make a whole best described as operatic--while even this definition comes up lacking. The singer/songwriter, Keith Sudano, is so believable, you actually feel as much as hear the lyrics. His range is better defined by personalities or voices than by octaves. He shifts between all of them convincingly. At times the listener is left wondering if he actually wasn't possessed by the soul of the madman himself as the story is told.

At the same time, dark yet beautiful, this album takes you to a new realm. The music demands, or more precisely compels, you to listen to it again and again. Often some fresh nuance reveals itself, as your appreciation grows over each spin. I have listened to it at least 100 times, and I love it more now than ever. Without a doubt, this release must be regarded as one of the greatest musical endeavors ever recorded.

Fans of technical music such as Dream Theater will no doubt find much to please their tastes, as will classical music listeners not averse to aggressive rock. Musicians in any genre will surely marvel at this creation and come away with new ideas. This work has the epic flavor of Meat Loaf or even Phantom of the Opera, the grandiose flair of J.S. Bach, with the solid rock foundation of a talented musical group formed around the nucleus and singular vision of Sudano.

I try and explain the flavor of this music, but ultimately, this CD defies categorization. I would simply call it a masterpiece. If you only buy one album from the "progressive" metal genre, this one has got to be it. For this price, you can't lose. This CD alone is worth more than 3/4 of the rest of my CD collection put together! No joke. If I were being sent to a desert island and only allowed 1 CD, I think this would be it. In other words, buy this CD!!! Be warned though, your life may never be the same...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A transcendental progressive metal masterpiece., May 5, 2001

By 

Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The edge (Audio CD)

Before getting The Edge, I had read countless for reviews for it, and invariably they lauded it one of the best albums in the progressive metal category. With that kind of praise, I knew it was something I had to hear for myself.

Expectations were high, and I was in no way disappointed; The Edge encapsulates greatness in progressive metal. Lots of emotional power, grandiosity, virtuoso performances, incredible vocals, and great songwriting. It is a concept album about people on the "edge"; people who question the meaning of life, people who are pushed past the breaking point, a society on a precipice of aberration. Lyrically it is very good. Musically, very good. Vocally, also very good. But The Edge is better than the sum of its impressive parts -- this truly is an extraordinary musical work.

Lead vocalist and songwriter Keith Sudano is a very talented man. Superhumanly accurate, rich and narrative while evoking a romantic power, his voice is a marvel. He is like an actor who becomes different people with each song. At times, he sounds like Mike Baker (from Shadow Gallery), except with far more range, emotional expression, and power. As a songwriter, he has a great sense of complexity and melody and he commands a vast musical vocabulary.

"The Edge - Introduction" is the harrowing overture to this astonishing album. The gothic organ that opens this track sets a dark, haunting tone. In the middle interlude, the instrumental interplay is inventive and exciting. One might first suspect that the album is gearing up for nothing more than an accomplished foray into progressive metal's conventional territory. They would be wrong....

"Fly Away" is the paean of The Edge. Laden with piano and sweeping string synths that accompany the powerful guitars, this song is very moving. The chorus is memorable and beautiful, and Sudano's delivery is breathtaking. The heroic guitar solo is absolutely incredible. The high spirits of this one are very infectious.

"The Confession" had me thinking it was a lost song from Operation: Mindcrime. The thought of this song's premise gives me shivers: it's about a man who kills clergymen in confessionals to avenge his daughter, who was raped and murdered by a priest. Sudano's soaring vocal style of the first two songs changes completely here. Now he isolates the emotional distress of the character and sounds like a normal -- if mentally distraught -- fellow. The anger, the anguish...so perfectly captured by the Sudano's vocals and the cutting instrumentation. The inclusion of "Fortuna Imperatix Mundi" in the intro was an appropriate touch to set the tone.

"The Edge II - The Looking Glass" explores a medieval direction, both musically and lyrically. Jamie Mazur's keyboards establish the atmospheric orchestral backdrop, and Sudano's lyrics are cryptic metaphors for ethical issues. The spitfire guitar riffs build up the urgency before the vocals get start up. The chorus is shocking: Sudano sings an operatic falsetto. It's cool, but at that range Sudano's pronunciation comes apart. That is my only complaint with the entire album.

"A Day In Verse" begins with a sublime piano passage that I love. Sounds a lot like Styx's "Come Sail Away." Sudano's vocals are quieter and almost fragile, but he remains an expressive, visceral wonder. For the most part, "A Day In Verse" is a beautiful ballad, although the middle of the song is more aggressive. The instrumental interlude -- with the heavy throbbing bass, a charging guitar riff, and flamboyant strokes of piano -- is pure genius. It then returns to the quieter theme of the song that is oh so incredible in its evocative power and flow.

By now, Sudano and co. have proven to be infallible songwriters. It seems fitting that they now offer the difficult and mysterious "Imaginarium," which reminds me of Queensryche's "Roads to Madness." This 10-minute track opens with a dark acoustic guitar line, layered by a quiet mesmerizing synth, while the lyrics and vocals are elegiac. Slowly, almost teasingly, the song begins to build in intensity, then things explode into a speedy riff and fiery vocal lines. This undulating arrangement is repeated. Interesting melodic progressions and engaging, high-energy arrangements make this one great.

"The Edge III - Existence Chapter 1,000,009" is a quieter, eclectic piece with lushly pressing instrumental interplay and a subtle, galloping groove. The band shows off some dazzling instrumental interplay during the interlude where they quote classic Beethoven themes.

"The Edge of Madness" is the best recorded depiction of insanity you'll ever hear. Sudano effectively becomes the madman in the song, using close to ten different voices to convey unadulterated dementia. Melody shifts move from staccato guitar strikes to quiet piano passages to accompany the unpredictable change of bearing. It's stunning...but it gets better. In the middle section, Sudano rages at the band itself. Who are they to tell his story, and make money off it, no less? The leads in this song come hard, fast and furious.

"Rejection" seethes with anger, again conveyed perfectly in both a musical and vocal sense. You won't hear unqualified rhythmic violence or vocal fury like this from many progressive metal songs.

"Baptism By Fire" is compositionally colorful with mixes of exquisite piano, impassioned vocals, and mid-tempo riffery. Lyrically, it is about being enraged by the world but finding solace in the single, special person whom you love. It fits, given the way the song goes through so many melody shifts.

"The Edge, Legacy/Reprise" closes the album fittingly. By the time the reprise rolls around, you're almost saddened that the CD is ending. However, the dark, enigmatic tones of this album assures that it will prove fruitful for long-term exploration. You'll be listening to this one for a long time. In terms of diversity, the heterogeneous songs ensure that you'll never get bored. This album leaves an indelible mark, and is a must have.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Without words, April 27, 2000

By 

Kevin Cavone (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edge (Audio CD)

I am simply awed by this album. I can't reccomend it enough, it desrves much higher than the 5 stars I was allowed.

If anyone who considers this CD is unsure I will personally send your money back. This CD will appeal to the listener of many, many different styles. Yes, Eternity X is based in the rock/hard rock/ metal genre'...but this is spanned by this CD and their other CD "Mind Games" is beautiful as well. 150% approval rating!