Edguy - Theater Of Salvation (1999) - Brilliant choruses and a prelude to Avantasia - 1999 (27/04/11)

"Theater of salvation" is the last of the truly traditional power metal albums with rock opera approaches of Edguy before the band headed for a more humorous style and varied their sound before they got more and more stuck into a hard rock sound. This album remembers a lot more the following first two Avantasia records than the upcoming next Edguy studio record that came out two years later. Anybody that likes the early works of Avantasia may easily enjoy this record.

What really makes this album so strong are the unforgettable choruses. "Babylon" is a very positive high speed power metal attack with a highly memorable chorus that remembers early Helloween albums. "The headless game" is a little bit slower and darker but has an amazing and unforgettable chorus. "Land of the miracle" is a kitsch ballad with some pianos and cheesy lyrics but the song really succeeds to touch me and the dreamy chorus is once again a true killer. "Wake up the king" is not that memorable but has some really catchy keyboard melodies and simply puts a big smile on my face every time I am listening to this vivid and melodic power metal track.

The only problem with this album is that the band can't keep the high level of the first four or five songs until the end. Technically, the songs in the middle of the album are surely well made and enjoyable to listen to but they are less unique, less catchy and less impressive and that's why I must put them into the filler category.

Thankfully, the band reserves us an amazing epic title tracks for the end. Twelve minutes of epic glory and perfect power metal and rock opera entertainment close this album on a very positive note. The whole structure and the amazing chorus remind me of the rock legends Queen and one could say that this track is Edguy's personal "Bohemian rhapsody" and one of the finest epics they have done. That said, I must admit that almost every epic hymn of the band is truly entertaining, emotional and well structured. Those young guys really have a talent for this kind of songs. Let's finally add that the bonus track "For a trace of life" is a beautiful acoustic ballad with some orchestral passages and worth to be listened to. This track really closes the record on a harmonic and peaceful note and fills me with warmth. This song should have made on the regular version.

To keep it short, the amazing beginning and great finish of the album pardon for a rather mediocre middle part. Musically, the band is close to the epic concept of the Avantasia project and mixes its Queen and Helloween influences to a convincing and powerful potpourri of joyful emotions.