Edguy - Superheroes (2005) - Random stuff and two killers (CD, 72%) / Silly title track but amazing live performances (DVD, 75%) (26/10/10)

It is not always easy to be an Edguy fan. After the incredible masterpiece "Hellfire club", they deliver us a cheesy but addicting pop song and this EP with a really horrible cover artwork. Many metal heads laughed about it and pointed at the fans and I can understand that. But after the first shock, I must admit that there are still some positive things to say about this release.

First of all, you get value for money and some new songs a few months before the album release date. There are some brilliant songs on this record that should have found their places on the regular album. "Judas at the opera" with Michael Kiske on the vocals is a fast and bombastic power metal tracks that reminds us of the early "Helloween" or "Gamma Ray" albums. But the song doesn't sound old fashioned or like a copy of it, this song is straight and also includes the typical Edguy humour. The chorus is extremely addicting and the whole song is just a masterpiece that grows more and more on me.

The other songs don't reach this level. The dark and bombastic gothic ballad "Blessing in disguise" is an interesting experiment and could have found its place on the last records from "Sirenia" or "Evanescence", only with strong and emotional male vocals. "Spooks in the attic" is a catchy and solid power metal song that won't disappoint any fan of this genre.

The other two songs are a boring cover version and two versions of the silly but catchy title track that I wouldn't recommend.

But half of this EP is really well done and interesting. Especially "Judas at the opera" and "Blessing in disguise" sound very fresh and interesting and should have been included on the later album. That's why I am very happy that I have bought this EP and any true Edguy fan must listen to these two songs.

***

First of all, I think that the band should not have released two versions of the same single. They could have released such a DVD single for a possible second single from "Rocket ride" with the three live shootings, the documentary, the road movie and the video clips.

But well, this is the final product and so I have to listen to the childish pop song and title track once again. The song is pure kitsch, but at least very catchy and the music video shows us many beautiful bunnies at least. Now, let's talk business. The documentary and especially the road movie are quite entertaining and funny with an entertainer as Tobias Sammet. The most important factor for me to buy this version haven been and are the live songs. The stage is beautifully designed and the band kicks ass. "Mysteria" is a heavy and perfect concert opener and the other two songs, "Under the moon" and "Navigator" are also taken from the excellent "Hellfire club" album and have not been played live after the tour of that album and those to songs are worth buying this DVD alone. It's a positive fact that the band chose maybe the three hardest songs of that album and they all blow the "Superheroes" joke away. Especially Tobias Sammet does an amazing job on the vocals and the crowd does the rest of the job to make you enjoy those live shootings. That's pure, energetic and atmospheric power metal.

To keep it short, I would recommend this single DVD to everyone that didn't like the "Superheroes EP" but want to listen to three amazing live songs instead of new studio material. The other extra gimmicks are also worth the purchase at a very low price. You surely get value for money here!