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Edge Of Forever: Ritual
Edge Of Forever - Ritual Album Art

Edge Of Forever: Ritual

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR
4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 09.10.2023 | Released: 13.10.2023

Resurrected in 2019 by founder Alessandro Del Vecchio after a ten year hiatus, Edge Of Forever has been on a consistent path of recordings. Native Soul arrived in 2019, followed by Seminole three years later. Supporting their fifth studio album, Edge Of Forever embarked on a 16 months and 30-plus concert tour. Now, the band returns with their latest and sixth long player, Ritual, which finds the band advancing into some new territory.

Edge Of Forever - Click For Larger Image

Alessandro Del Vecchio

The album is divided into two parts. The first part, six songs, features their signature AOR-infused melodic hard rock. There's some strong songs here. Solid rockers include Freeing My Will and Where Are You. Much heavier is Forever's Unfolding with strong riffs and rhythm section. Love Is The Only Answer is an inspirational ballad; Water By My Path displaying Edge Of Forever's AOR sensibility.


The second half of the album is a conceptual Ritual story. It's the story of two indigenous children, twin girl and boy separated, sent to different schools and, being the last of their tribe, told to abandon their language and culture. The tale advances with the boy escaping, seeking his sister, and finally reuniting with her on his death bed.

The story is told through some heavier, melodic metal rock. Part 1, Part 2 Revert Destiny, and Part 3 Taunting Souls are ambitious, blistering, even forceful tunes. Perhaps some of Edge Of Forever's heaviest material. But then, in Part 4, Baptized By Fire, listeners find a four part vocal harmony segue. Part 5 The Wings Of Hope returns the story to driving melodic heavy rock. The story finishes with the final two sixth and seventh parts, Cross My Eyes and Reconciliation. Milder, softer songs compared to the roaring melodic metal rock, they establish the somber mood of the children finally reuniting. The concept is well-crafted and the music terrific; I only wished I had the lyrics.

All said, Edge Of Forever's Ritual finds the band both consistent, delivering their signature AOR melodic rock in one half, and then explorative in the second half offering listeners a concept story with some more heaver melodic metal. Recommended for the musical adventure.




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The Take Away

Edge Of Forever's Ritual finds the band both consistent, delivering their signature AOR melodic rock in one half, and then explorative in the second half offering listeners a concept story with some more heaver melodic metal. Recommended for the musical adventure.

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