Total Eclipse is the living proof that Bay Area metal isn’t totally dead yet. This cult power metal act finally deliver us their debut album. I say finally because Total Eclipse already recorded a debut album entitled Hell On Earth in 1999. This album was apparently, due to unclear reasons, never released. Now, roughly four years later, the American quintet seem to have succeeded and the album Ashes Of Eden can finally see the light of day.

The album opens with a somewhat standard instrumental before thundering into the up-tempo power track “Storm Warning” which immediately shows the talent this band has, strongly influenced by material from the eighties. Bands like Fates Warning and Omen come to mind. Driving guitar riffs, melodic interludes and high yet sincere vocals drive the powerful metal on. Once in awhile singer Andrea Giardina falls a bit short, especially in the more melodic tracks like “Heaven On Their Mind” and “Tears For The World” but overall he does quite a decent job. He is absolutely great in the real power tracks of this album, like “Crystal Sky”, ”Frozen In Time” and the aforementioned “Storm Warning”.

The album is produced by Uwe Lulis (Grave Digger, Rebellion and Wizard) and one can safely say he did a good job. Ashes Of Eden sounds powerful and clear. A sound that fits the music perfect. Total Eclipse is yet another good underground American power metal band struggling to survive in an almost dead metal scene. Fortunately the labels in Europe seem to sign more and more of these bands as the scene in Europe thrives.

Ashes Of Eden is a very decent power metal album, especially the melodic guitar interludes are of a high level. My only real problem with this album is that sometimes the band tends to drag on a little bit too much and songs could be slightly shortened and more compact. Nevertheless Ashes Of Eden is an excellent debut album that shows the talent of Total Eclipse and I’m definitely looking forward to their next release.