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Empires Of Eden: Guardians Of Time
Seventh Empires Of Eden - Guardians Of Time Album Art

Empires Of Eden: Guardians Of Time

Heavy/Power/Thrash Metal
4.0/5.0

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Massacre Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 12.11.2024 | Released: 15.11.2024

It's been nine years since guitarist and producer Stu Marshall has returned to his personal project, Empires Of Eden. But you have to cut him some slack; he's been busy. Since 2015's Architect Of Hope, he's dropped albums from Blasted To Static, Death Dealer, including an EP, and two more with Night Legion. Oh yeah, in 2021 he found time to create a new band/project: Arkenstone (with Mike LePond on bass) and their debut EP, Ascension Of The Fallen.

Now Marshall arrives with the fifth EoE album, Guardians Of Time. As with past EoE projects, Marshall rounds up a gaggle of vocalists from his native Australia and around the world with additional guest musicians on bass, guitars, and drums. Marshall also provides guitar, bass, drums, orchestral arrangements, and production. I've included a PDF of album credits and song information for your edification.

Stu Marshall & Friends - Click For Larger Image

Stu Marshall & Friends

Stu Marshall has said this about the new album: "Guardians Of Time brings together a rare coalition of some of the genre's most formidable musicians. This isn't a typical collaboration; it's a bold, creative venture that challenges the conventions of metal. Crossing genres of power metal, AOR and thrash elements, this album shows a deep creative input from a wide range of metal talent."


On to the album and some commentary on a few songs. The larger genre context of any EoE album is, essentially, guitar driven and traditional heavy power metal. And so, you'll find the same with When The Beast Comes Out, The Guardians Of Time, Arabian Nights (fantastic drum start), and Baptize This Hell. Alternatively, The Devils Only Friend turns on a steady, moderate, heavy groove, and The Inner Me and more especially the raging Mortal Rites upon rabid thrash metal. Three final observations: one, vocally, the overarching motif seemed to be to find the assertive metal vocalists for the album; two, I didn't really hear the aforementioned AOR vibe; and three: the guitar work is killer, but that is to be unexpected.

Once more, with Guardians Of Time, project creator and guitarist Stu Marshall assembles and all-star metal cast of vocalists and guest musicians for a guitar-driven heavy power metal assault. Recommended for fans of the genre.


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The Take Away

Once more, with Guardians Of Time, project creator and guitarist Stu Marshall assembles and all-star metal cast of vocalists and guest musicians for a guitar-driven heavy power metal assault. Recommended for fans of the genre.

Support the artist, click the link below to buy the album at Amazon (US site) in your favorite format.

Purchase Empires Of Eden - Guardians Of Time at Amazon
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