Review: Edge Of The Blade – Trick Of The Light

Self Release (November 6^th, 2 2023)

Reviewer: Chris O’Connor

Now four albums into their career, and Anglo/Spanish AOR legends Edge Of The Blade, who have become synonymous for creating quality Melodic Rock music, are back, bigger and better than ever, with a studio album that is positively rammed with top notch material. ‘Trick Of The Light’ is simply a must have album for true fans of this wonderful genre. The powerhouse trio, fronted by John Francis, with guitarist Miguel Angel Lopez, and ex-Shy/7HY multi-instrumentalist Alan Kelly should be lauded and loudly acclaimed for creating such a true powerhouse of an album, as it really is absolutely wonderful!

If you love classic AOR in the vein of Journey, The Storm, Foreigner, Honeymoon Suite etc, then ‘Trick Of The Light’ should be a compulsory purchase, it’s that simple. It’s somewhat heavier than its predecessor, having some genuinely muscular riffs, take ‘Don’t Think That It’s Over’, which almost reminds me of Hughes/Thrall at their heaviest, but it’s also an album that’s all about melodies and harmonies, so never loses sight of its Mel Rock roots. Also, how such a talented band is without a record label is nothing short of criminal, they deserve to have a decent label backing them.

Ex-After Hours frontman John Francis excels throughout, he really is a major talent, his voice swooping and soaring with ease throughout the album, there is a tonal similarity to the immortal Steve Perry, but he’s not a clone, his voice is also deeper, but works beautifully. Guitarist Miguel Angel Lopez (see also Iron Curtain) proves what an excellent fret-burner he is, never overplaying, but always being tasteful and elegant. Alan Kelly meanwhile, who provides keyboards, bass guitars, drums, and backing vocals, imbues the album with undeniable quality and musical depth.

The band understands that what’s needed is big choruses, big hooks, intelligent musicianship, and finally decent production – the latter of which is all the more amazing, given that everything is self-produced, and the album works perfectly because of all these factors. ‘Trick Of The Light’ features twelve songs, and at no time outstays its welcome, as the songs never meander or lose focus, not even once. I’ve been listening to the album both at home and while driving, and it doesn’t matter what speakers you hear it through, it always sounds amazing – a true stamp of quality.

Choosing certain tracks for praise seems somewhat churlish, but I do personally love the anthemic ‘Love Stands Tall’, which just has insinuated itself into my subconscious – it’s a true ‘earworm’. I would also direct your attention to the brilliant and pulsing ‘Ecstasy’ which is smooth, almost Synthwave in feel with some very Schon-esque guitars, and a very Steve Perry vocal, it actually could be off either ‘Raised On Radio’ or ‘Arrival’! The big ballads ‘Still Want You Back’ and ‘One Step From Heaven’ both work immaculately, and will definitely appeal to those who yearn for musical drama, ending the album with the latter was a very smart move, as it works as a beautiful accomplished coda to a supremely accomplished album.

Arriving late in 2023, ‘Trick Of The Light’ slipped under my radar until now (as I suspect it will have done with a lot of other people), and that’s a shame, as it’s a truly glorious album, and truly deserves bigger success than I feel it will actually get. Congratulations to the EOTB boys, as they have excelled themselves (again). Please do yourselves a big favour, and buy this gem of an album, because you will regret it of you miss out. Please Sirs, I want some more!

Tracklist: 

1. Some Kinda Way
2. Ecstasy
3. Still Want You Back
4. Trick Of The Light
5. Don’t Think That It’s Over
6. Open Your Heart
7. Love Has Gone
8. Love Hate
9. Broken Heart
10. Love Stands Tall
11. Everybody
12. One Step From Heaven