It’s funny how these things line up. Two Alessandro Del Vecchio helmed albums released the same day. This time Ale teams with fellow Italian – guitarist Simone Mularoni, guitar player of Italian prog-metallers DGM to write and produce the new Sunstorm album for Joe Lynn Turner, who requested a harder edge to the fourth album in this project’s lifespan.
I don’t have by track writing credits, but Soren Kronqvist and Daniel Palmqvist also contribute songs.
Joe Lynn Turner never sounds less than on-form when delivering his vocals, as he is again right here. He sounds as good as ever, so it’s all down to the songs and the sound employed to do so.
Edge Of Tomorrow is a heavier, more guitar dominated record, with keyboards way back in the mix this time around. And without Dennis Ward, as well as the style shift, it’s a pretty different record than the trilogy of albums before it.
The first two Sunstorm albums are brilliant. The third was good, but to be perfectly honest, this is going to rank last compared to those. I think the Sunstorm brand has lost some of its personality here. There are some fine songs that kick things along, but several others that I’m struggling to appreciate and despite all albums featuring songs gathered entirely from outside writers, the ones here don’t have the hook impact expected.
Don't Walk Away From A Goodbye is a powerful opener with a decent uptempo pace which leads well into the pick of the album - Edge Of Tomorrow. This is one of the best songs of the year if I’m honest. I just wish there was more like it.
Nothing Left To Say doesn’t really go anywhere and fails to deliver a memorable chorus.
Heart Of The Storm is a feisty rocker that I do like, but the chorus and lack of harmony vocals where there should be some leaves it a little flat.
The Sound Of Goodbye is very much the same. The slower ballad shows promise but ultimately sounds really raw as if something is missing.
The Darkness Of This Dawn is a slower and more soulful tune with some classy Neal Schon inspired guitar riffs and brings back the harmony vocals which do make a difference.
You Hold Me Down has a decent chorus and a good pace which is followed by the piano ballad Angel Eyes, which I think most will enjoy.
Everything You’ve Got and Tangled In Blue roll along nicely, the chorus’ could have been bigger, but it’s just not the style of this album.
I find the closing track Burning Fire is another that just doesn’t go anywhere sadly.
In a word – disappointing. But that’s comparing this to what has come before and what we expect from a JLT project. It’s a little heavier, rawer and without much padding as far as harmonies and keyboards. So it is what it is. Some might even prefer it this way.
But for me – regardless of style direction, I think the album is missing additional knockout tunes such as the title track.
