Recently I seem to have quite a run in with albums that contain a so called copy protection, just like the new Edguy album. This time the label is called Nuclear Blast and it’s a whole lot more inventive than before. During each and every song the music fades out and singer Tobias Sammet starts talking about said track. The worst of it all is the fact that Mister Tobias is talking terribly arrogant (quote: “A song that couldn’t have been done by another band!” uhhuh!). Bullshit (pardon my language) that might interest the diehard fan, maybe influence a reviewer or two, but annoys me without end. How am I supposed to listen to this album? Should I write this review the same way? I start it, and then half way I switch to a conversation about the weather here in Finland, to finally wrap it all up with a conclusion? And this helps who? And who would bother reading it?

Now let’s put things into perspective a little bit though. When you look on internet, or maybe I should say when you dive a bit deeper in the world called file sharing, you simply have to admit that these labels are 100% correct. I mean come on people; who the hell are we trying to fool? A release these days is on internet before it even hit the stores. I can understand the grudge people have when it comes to current CD prices, but I can seriously understand why labels are trying to protect their top priority releases. I don’t like it, in fact it annoys the shit out of me when I have to listen to these ‘protected’ promos but the sad truth is; it’s getting out of hand and this is the only way to go on.

Well, enough ranting and enough moralistic analyses. I don’t need to protect this review, I couldn’t care less if it would wind up somewhere else, so I will write this review the way I’m used to. Time for Edguy’s Hellfire Club… ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the freak show!’

Hellfire Club starts with “Mysteria” and it’s immediately right to the mark; strong riffs, excellent vocals and great dynamics.

It is pretty damn simple: Edguy mean business and although I am far from a fan of this kind of power metal I have to admit that these Germans know how to write catchy songs. Furthermore, the sound is great. Unlike so many of their compatriots, they haven’t succumbed to the need to sound clinical. First and foremost this is metal with riffs that need to be heard and as such they need to pound and smack you in the face, which is exactly what Edguy manage to do.

After the second track “The Piper Never Dies”, I am convinced that Edguy is quickly becoming one of the driving forces in the power metal scene. This 10 minute long track harkens back to the seventies with influences of Deep Purple and Uriah Heep. Slow pounding riffs and a good sing along chorus. Edguy show that they can play more than just simple up tempo Helloween type metal.

Hellfire Club is good power metal album even though it brings absolutely nothing new, it’s corny and cheesy, and there are almost no surprises. Sure, they used some orchestral parts but even that has already been done a million times before. But who cares, the songs are good and beat whatever most other power metal acts come up with. Not all songs are great however, especially the ballads are a bit overdone, but that’s all the criticism I have.

If you are a self respecting power metal fan you get your ass to the store now and buy the damn album because before you know it, copy protection might reach out and grab you too. Oh and if you already are a fan of Edguy there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that you are going to love Hellfire Club.