Edwin Dare - The Unthinkable Deed......

  Track Listing:

1. Do Me Right
  2. It's Not For The World
  3. The Killer
  4. A Right Way and A Wrong Way
  5. Oh Darling
  6. Don't Need No Money
  7. Just A Heartbeat Away
  8. Burning Feeling
  9. Face The Truth
10. Love Poisons The Mind
11. Edwin Shreds
12. When We Had It All
13. Take Your Stand
14. Waiting For The Chance

A monster disc that many metal fans are unaware of because the band does not have US distribution. The version reviewed was self-released on Marmaduke Records. There is also a Japanese version available, but as Jeff Kollman (band's leader) kindly informed me this version has superior sound due to screw-ups in remastering for the Japanese release (I found that after buying the CD and visiting Edwin Dare official site, which only has the Japanese release posted (it has a different cover). Needless to say I was relieved to learn (from Kollman's prompt reply to my email inquiry) that I had, in fact bought the "right" version.).

The style reminds a lot of Extreme's Pornografitti album, plus a few advancements. More metallized Lynch Mob also comes to mind. However, the wide-ranged vocals and complex instrumental work bring this album closer to progressive world. The singer, Bryce Barnes, has a smooth powerful voice, kind of like what Geoff Tate would sound like if he stopped taking himself so seriously and joined a blues metal band. Lynch Mob's Robert Mason also has a similar voice. The vocals are delivered with plenty of passion, which is very appropriate and makes up for any technical deficiencies. All songs have catchy choruses (a few times predictably so) and nice vocal harmonies. The guitarist, Jeff Kollman, is a true virtuoso in the style of Nuno Bettencourt. The rhythm guitar sound is especially good. Unusually thick and heavy for this style of music, it drives the album with Impellitteri-like force (not style). Although quite close to Nuno's Extreme work, this is a few notches above in heaviness and complexity. The lead guitar work is exceptional throughout, leaning toward bluesier/jazzier tones. The bass is played by the renowned Kevin Chown. Jeff's brother, Tom handles the drums.

All songs are written by Jeff Kollman, with the exception of "Love poisons the mind"(written by the keyboardist, who doesn't get much chance to show off otherwise) and the Beatles cover. The songs can be divided into 2 general groups: the more conventional hard-rockish tunes, and the more unusual/progressive(?) ones. The latter include "The Killer," "Just a heartbeat away," "Waiting for the chance," and "Take Your Stand," all of them highlights. The rest of the album belongs to the former group. The opener "Do me right" grooves with a vengeance setting the tone for the rest of the disc. "A right and a wrong way " starts out with an awesome riff. "Oh Darling" is a Beatles cover that is very fitting here. Probably one of the few Beatles songs that wouldn't sound out of place on this album. On " Love poisons the mind," Jeff Kollman is credited with vocals. If it wasn't mentioned in the insert, he could easily be mistaken for a toned down lead singer. "When we had it all" is a very nice mostly acoustic ballad. The band leaves the best for last, as the two closing tracks simply shred and burn. "Take your stand" sounds like Crimson Glory thinking they are a thrash band doing a Judas Priest cover, complete with Rob Halford helping out on vocals. The chorus reminds of the best Queensryche work off Operation: Mindcrime. The song sounds completely different from the rest of the album, not only musically but lyrically too. Where most other songs center lyrically in the usual glammy hard rock territory, this one is straight from Queensryche politically-themed catalog, "Take your stand, unite your minds to win, take your stand, or this tyrant will rise again." "Waiting for the chance" is great rocker with super-cool shreddy fills and long solo.